Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

An Evaluation Of A Student Allied Health Professions’ Social Prescribing Scheme, Kirstie A. Goodchild, Anya De Iongh

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Social prescribing is a core part of healthcare policy within the NHS and requires support and contributions from all healthcare professionals, including Allied Healthcare Professionals (AHPs). The well-established medical student-led social prescribing student champion scheme (SPSCS) has been expanded to include AHPs, and AHP champions were recruited to deliver peer-led activities focused on social prescribing. This article aimed to evaluate the impact of the scheme's expansion on AHP students. Method: Fourteen AHP champions ran 21 activities that reached 524 students. Those participating in the champion-led activities were asked to complete pre- and post-session surveys to capture the impact of …

Teaching And Learning Interventions Designed To Improve Cultural Competence In Health Profession Students: A Systematic Review, Gloria Nkhoma, Chiao Xin Lim, Gerard A. Kennedy, Ieva Stupans

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Developing healthcare profession students’ cultural competency knowledge, skills and attributes is critical to meet the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse healthcare service consumers. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify effective cultural competence interventions for healthcare profession students. Methods: A systematic review of peer reviewed articles published from 2010-2021 using PRISMA guidelines was conducted by searching CINAHL, EMBASE, ERIC, PubMed, and Psych INFO databases. Article quality was assessed using the Evaluation Tool for Quantitative Research and Mixed Method Appraisal Tool. Results: The initial search identified 2,261 potentially relevant studies, 41 studies met the inclusion criteria in …

Using Motivational Interviewing To Increase Confidence In Nutritional Counseling Among Dental Hygienists: A Pilot Study, Heather M. Anderson, Sarah Jackson, Lisa Bilich, Craig Hunt, Elizabeth Tipton

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Dental hygienists have the unique opportunity to educate patients on connections between nutrition and oral health. Dental hygiene students are introduced to these concepts but struggle to gain confidence to share this knowledge with patients. This pilot study looked at an educational module on motivational interviewing (MI) and an assessment and counseling tool to build student confidence with nutritional counseling. Methods: Dental hygiene students participated in an educational module to review MI and introduce a nutritional risk assessment and counseling tool. Prior to the module, participants completed a pretest about confidence levels regarding MI and nutritional counseling. After three …

Assessing Faculty Preference Regarding Online Tools For Assessment In Medical Education: A Cross-Sectional Multi-Center Study, Zarreen Raza, Samira Adnan, Sanaa Ahmed, Zahid Memon, Saad Saleem, Ziyad Sanaullah

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: E-assessment is a novel practice in developing countries; hence it is essential to determine the online platforms and tools preferred by health sciences education faculty for online assessment. The purpose of this study was to assess the preference of faculty in medical and dental education regarding the online tools for e-assessment of undergraduate students. Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted from June until August 2020 on the faculty of medical and dental undergraduate programs of private and public sector institutes across Karachi, with a sample size of 152. Data was collected through convenience sampling using a validated questionnaire …

Health Profession Student’S Readiness Towards Online Learning As A Component Of Blended Learning, Narasimman Swaminathan, Latha Ravichandran, Ramachandran Sivakumar, Steve Milanese

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to identify the entry-level health profession students’ perception and readiness to adopt online learning as a component of blended learning (BL). Methods: A cross sectional survey using a structured questionnaire was administered using Google forms. Entry level Health professionals’ education (HPE) graduate students of a higher education institute in India completed the survey (N= 628). The questionnaire was developed from the literature and content validated by experts. Ethics clearance was obtained from the Institutional ethics committee. Results: Out of 628 responses, 603 fully completed questionnaires were included for analysis. Of the participants, 98 …

Remote Job Application Simulation Using Technology In Athletic Training Students: A Preliminary Teaching Technique, Kevin M. Schroeder, Jamie Mansell, Dani Moffit

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

While athletic training students go through extensive preparations for engaging with patient populations as healthcare providers, less time is spent on preparing athletic training students on how to secure employment after graduation. Without proper employment skills development, securing employment can pose a challenge for the athletic training student trying to enter the workforce. These skills include developing cover letters and resumes, and remote interviewing skills. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the preparations, execution, and lessons learned from a simulated, remote job application and interview process for athletic training students. Methods: This educational technique was performed using …

Allied Health Student Engagement In Telehealth Clinical Placements: A Rapid Review, Kate Bridgman, Shane Erickson, Lisa Furlong, Adam Bird

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The engagement of allied health students in telehealth consultations whilst on clinical placement has rapidly increased due to the disruption caused by COVID-19. While this is understandable given the circumstances, it has occurred on the largely unfounded assumption that utilising telehealth is pedagogically appropriate to supplement or replace assessed placements. Method: This rapid review used the Cochrane rapid review methodology to synthesise the literature relating to the perspectives of allied health students whilst on clinical placements utilising telehealth. Results: A systematic search and selection process found three studies. In summary, the combined findings of the research suggest that student …

Attitudes And Beliefs Of Physical Therapist And Physical Therapist Assistant Program Directors In The United States Towards Interprofessional Education, Lawrence Ramiscal, Christopher Truelove Jr., Vahe Heboyan, Gianluca De Leo

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: To investigate the attitudes and beliefs of physical therapy (PT) and physical therapist assistant (PTA) program directors towards interprofessional education (IPE). We hypothesized that Communication and Ethics would be the most important competencies among program directors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey based on previously utilized instruments modified for the profession of PT was sent to PT and PTA program directors. One hundred sixteen responses were analyzed using frequency analysis for demographic data and non-parametric Mann-Whitney U t-test for group differences. Results: While the majority of program directors agree that IPE is important, with Communication as the most important IPE competency, …

Feasibility And Acceptability Of A Pilot Knowledge Translation Telementoring Program For Allied Health Professionals, Ingrid J. Hickman, Ashley E. Cameron, Prue Mcrae, Shelley A. Wilkinson, Maxine O'Brien, Samantha Kozica-Olenski, Adrienne M. Young

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Knowledge translation (KT) in the health system is critical for the delivery of evidence-based practice. Supporting allied health professionals to plan and implement KT, using strategies that broadly reach across multiple geographical locations of the workforce, are needed. We piloted KT group telementoring via videoconference as an innovative solution to support and empower a vastly dispersed workforce.

Methods: The 6-month Knowledge Translation Support Service (KTSS) involved monthly, one-hour, virtual group-based support of clinician-led KT projects within state-run hospital and health services. Supported by an independent facilitator, a panel of KT experts and health service leaders provided constructive critique and …

Making It Work For Everyone: Developing Flexible Digital Clinical Communication Modules For Health Disciplines In An Australian Context, Nayia Cominos, Kerry Thoirs, Rowena Harper, Giordana Cross, Megan Cooper

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: This paper discusses an innovative multi-disciplinary approach to the development and evaluation of flexible, digital clinical communication learning resources to support students in twelve health disciplines to develop clinical communication skills in preparation for their clinical placements. Methods: A modified Delphi survey was sent to all stakeholders in the Division of Health Sciences to identify the most important communication skills from the list of 61 communication skills identified by Bachmann et al in 2013. Lecturers, clinical educators, clinicians, and students were invited to rate the importance of each skill. Results: A set of digital resources was created for teaching …

The Allied Health Work Readiness Study: Identifying Personal Characteristics Signalling Work Readiness In Allied Health Students, Maxine O'Brien, Kelli Troy, Jayne Kirkpatrick

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Clinical placements associated with university degrees for the allied health professions aim to support the preparation of students for post graduate employment through the practical application of theoretical constructs. However, employers recognise that a range of generic skills and attributes outside of technical and academic achievement impact of work readiness. Allied health clinical educators within Darling Downs Health (DDH) sought to identify these generic characteristics, and their relative importance, with a view to further supporting the work readiness of students completing placements in the district. Method: The study utilised the knowledge and experience of allied health clinical educators, experienced …

A Pilot Study Exploring The Impact Of Interprofessional Simulation On Role Clarity And Student Readiness For Collaborative Clinical Practice, Shira Schecter Weiner, Laura Hagan, Julie F. Kardachi

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Interprofessional collaboration is recognized as a healthcare practice paradigm that may decrease overall costs and minimize errors. Yet it remains common for practitioners to provide care within silos, inadequately considering the impact of their decisions on other providers and overall costs, which ultimately may negatively impact the patient. Integrating interprofessional collaboration in school curricula can establish the importance of this approach to healthcare. For optimal efficacy, every professional in the healthcare team must recognize their unique role and the roles of others, to allow for seamless interprofessional collaboration. Simulation is a teaching tool that provides students with the opportunity …

Feasibility Of Conducting Research In A Student Physiotherapy Clinic In Australia: A Pilot Study, Scott Buckerfield, Felicity Braithwaite, Julie Walters, Maureen P. Mcevoy

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Allied health student clinics are growing in number and scope, providing a potential untapped avenue for clinical research. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility of conducting a longitudinal research study over four sessions in a student physiotherapy clinic under the supervision of registered physiotherapists as clinical educators.

Method: This feasibility study gathered data on recruitment in a designated time period, attendance rates and adherence of participants to the treatment, with evaluation also of the acceptability of the entire protocol to participants (patients, students, clinical educators) and to the research team.

Results: Data were collected …

High-Fidelity Simulations Offer A Paradigm To Develop Personal And Interprofessional Competencies Of Health Students: A Review Article, Nava Livne

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Simulation instruction is an effective method to help health professional students develop personal and interprofessional competencies. The purpose of this review was to summarize the literature on high-fidelity mannequin simulation using methods that develop various personal and interprofessional competencies of health students in profession-specific and interprofessional health settings.

Method: This review was conducted using 10 databases, and articles published in English from January 2008 through January 2018 were reviewed. Keywords and terms from the Medical Subject Headings [MeSH] thesaurus were used to create keyword combinations. Of 95 articles that resulted from this search, 44 research studies were chosen for …

Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis- A Case Report, Renee M. Horner, Douglas S. Gardenhire, Ralph D. Zimmerman

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

ABSTRACT

Background: Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis (PAP) is a rare pulmonary disorder caused by a congregation of excessive lipoproteinaceous material in the alveolar spaces due to impaired surfactant metabolism. The congregation of the protein in the alveolar space leads to difficulty in breathing, impaired pulmonary immunity, and susceptibility to both opportunistic and acquired pulmonary infections. Although Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis is rare, there are potential treatments. Whole-lung lavage is the most widely accepted therapy and course of treatment. An additional form of therapy, GM-CSF stimulating therapy, uses recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) technology to increase white cell production.

Purpose: The purpose …

Developing Student Skills To Actively Engage In Feedback Conversations: A Pilot Study, Neil Tuttle, Andrea Bialocerkowski

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Students often have passive or counterproductive responses to feedback. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate a feedback training module containing online learning and live simulation. It was hypothesized that 1) student confidence in feedback skills would increase following the module, and 2) compared with a control group who undertook the module after their clinical placement, the feedback group who undertook the module before their placement would perform better on clinical placement on the sections of the Assessment of Physiotherapy Practice related to communication, but those related to clinical skills would not be affected. Methods: …

The Abcs Of Ebp: Opportunities And Challenges For Evidence-Based Practice Education In Developing Countries, Ramprasad Muthukrishnan, Tatjana Ille, Saravana Kumar

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

The importance of embedding evidence-based practice as part curricula and practice is now well recognised in health disciplines. However, despite this recognition there continues to be ongoing challenges. Nowhere are these challenges more evident than in developing countries where a tsunami of challenges confronts health care stakeholders. This commentary sheds some light on opportunities and challenges for evidence-based practice education in developing counties.

Interprofessional Scenario-Based Learning For New Graduates In A Regional Setting: A Pilot Study, Priya Martin, Matthew Newby, Monica Moran, Matthew Browne, Saravana Kumar

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Introduction: Globally there is an increased emphasis on the provision of high quality healthcare and improved productivity under mounting financial constraints. Interprofessional collaboration and practice are considered crucial in promoting teamwork and optimising patient outcomes. However, there is a lack of structured, evaluated interprofessional learning opportunities for graduates in regional and rural health services in Australia. This pilot study reports on a novel interprofessional new graduate learning program that was developed and implemented to address the lack of structured post-qualification interprofessional learning opportunities in the Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service. Methods: Twenty-one participants enrolled in the six-month program, which …

Training Hospital Readiness In Speech-Language Pathology Students Through Simulation, Anna Miles, Selena Donaldson, Philippa Friary

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Simulated learning environments allow students to develop technical and clinical decision-making skills in a safe and realistic setting. The aim of this study was to evaluate speech-language pathology students’ perception of hospital readiness following a one-day simulation-based training day on swallowing management. Nineteen students attended the training day. Training included part-task skill learning and immersive simulated scenarios. Students were asked to complete course evaluation forms and participated in focus groups immediately after the day. Seven students participated in a further focus group after a five-week hospital placement within a month of the training day. Four students participated in a focus …