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Articles 4801 - 4830 of 4977

Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences

The Art Of Healing : A Journey Through Cancer : Implications For Art Therapy, Carmen Zammit Jan 1999

The Art Of Healing : A Journey Through Cancer : Implications For Art Therapy, Carmen Zammit

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This thesis is designed to investigate how art assisted in the healing process of a person suffering from a life threatening illness. The research method used is a clinical case study. This study is a form of evaluative research, a systematic data-based inquiry concerning the participant's engagement with art in her healing process, a process which unfolds as being both life affirming and spiritually enriching. This case study takes a qualitative approach, with its emphasis on the participant's own account of her behaviour. The participant is a fifty-three year old woman, a psychiatrist and psychotherapist, who was diagnosed with multiple …

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Colour Perception: A Phenomenological Study Into People's Spontaneous Physical, Psychological, Emotional And Spiritual Reactions, Through Experiential Use, To Colour, Nicolette Smith Jan 1999

Colour Perception: A Phenomenological Study Into People's Spontaneous Physical, Psychological, Emotional And Spiritual Reactions, Through Experiential Use, To Colour, Nicolette Smith

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The predominance of colour as a therapy is becoming more apparent in our culture at present. It is a well-known fact, which has been thoroughly documented, that colour affects our senses in many ways and on many levels. Colour is considered to possess a healing element. A phenomenological study will be conducted to investigate people's spontaneous physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual reactions to colour. This will be explored through the experiential use of colour by the participants. The use of a pre-test questionnaire, post-test questionnaires, observation and de-briefing will be the main research instruments. A pilot study will be used …

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A Phenomenological Study Of Clinical Decision Making By Flight Nurse Specialists In Emergency Situations, Dale M. Pugh Jan 1999

A Phenomenological Study Of Clinical Decision Making By Flight Nurse Specialists In Emergency Situations, Dale M. Pugh

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Clinical decision making is an integral, multifaceted phenomenon fundamental to nursing practice. The domain of flight nursing practice is unique in terms of knowledge, structure, clinical presentations and environment. The uniqueness and diversity of patient scenarios and the advanced practice level of the flight nurse role blend to provide a potential rollercoaster flight mission. At the time this research was conducted nursing standards to guide clinical decision making were being developed. Medically orientated clinical guidelines were in place, but they were designed to highlight a specific, well defined clinical scenario or skill. It has been argued that guidelines for nursing …

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Factors That Malawian Adolescents From Co-Educational Secondary Schools Of Lilongwe And Mchinji Identity As Affecting Their Ability To Discuss Sexual Issues, Susan K. Geloo Jan 1999

Factors That Malawian Adolescents From Co-Educational Secondary Schools Of Lilongwe And Mchinji Identity As Affecting Their Ability To Discuss Sexual Issues, Susan K. Geloo

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The purpose of this study was to explore the factors Malawian adolescents from co-educational secondary schools identified as affecting their ability to discuss sexual issues. A sample of 149 adolescent students from the coeducational secondary schools of Lilongwe and Mchinji districts was surveyed. Their ages ranged from 14-18 years of age. The schools and participants were chosen using cluster-sampling and data were obtained via a questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised of demographic variables, sources of sexual information, participant's sexual life, the sexual issues participants consider important and their ability to communicate sexual issues comfortably with different community members. Data were analysed …

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Smoking : An Exploration Of Message Framing And Death Anxiety, Ian James Parker Jan 1999

Smoking : An Exploration Of Message Framing And Death Anxiety, Ian James Parker

Theses : Honours

The focus of this thesis is the replication and extension of research by Tversky and Kahneman (1981) who found that how a message is worded or framed can significantly affect decisional choice. Tversky and Kahneman (1981) demonstrated that a message framed in terms of "lives saved" was favoured over one which read "lives lost" notwithstanding that the net sum of survivors was equal in both instances. The authors referred to the effects of message framing on decision making as Prospect Theory. This thesis studied Tversky and Kahneman's (1981) research applied to the issue of smoking. The preference for a positive …

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General Practitioners And Depression In Older Adult Males : Ageism, Physical Problems And Treatment, Gary M. Duggan Jan 1999

General Practitioners And Depression In Older Adult Males : Ageism, Physical Problems And Treatment, Gary M. Duggan

Theses : Honours

Depression in older adults can have fatal consequences if undetected and not treated. Comparisons of studies are difficult because of the lack of methodical consistency. The literature is reviewed with regard to the definition, prevalence, consequences, recognition, treatment and prognosis of depression in relation to general practitioners (GPs) and with particularly regard to elderly males. The research indicates poor recognition and treatment of depression in older adults, despite the research indicating that older adults have a similar prognosis as younger adults, when the depression is treated. Factors influencing the detection of depression are included.

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Molecular Studies Of Splice Sites In The Canine Dystrophin Gene, Hayley Durling Jan 1999

Molecular Studies Of Splice Sites In The Canine Dystrophin Gene, Hayley Durling

Theses : Honours

The development of an effective therapy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is one of the primary goals of all DMD/Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD) research. Golden Retriever Muscular Dystrophy (GRMD), an animal model of DMD is a fatal degenerative myopathy. Unlike the mdx model, the GRMD dog more accurately reflects the phenotype shown by human DMG patients, making the model better suited for the investigation and assessment of potential therapeutic approaches. The GRMD mutation, a base change from A to G in the 3' splice acceptor site of intron 6, results in exon 7 skipping which disrupts the translational reading frame. …

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To Immunize Or Not To Immunize, That Is The Question! An Investigation Into The Reasons Behind Parents' Decisions In Immunizing Their Children Against Whooping Cough In Western Australia, Eliena Kirov Jan 1999

To Immunize Or Not To Immunize, That Is The Question! An Investigation Into The Reasons Behind Parents' Decisions In Immunizing Their Children Against Whooping Cough In Western Australia, Eliena Kirov

Theses : Honours

Demographic data on the immunization status of Australia indicates that Western Australia has relatively low immunization coverage for whooping cough. Australian quantitative studies have been carried out on parental attitudes in Australia towards immunization, but there has been no analysis of parents' reasons for their decisions. This study identified the key issues that influenced the decisions made by the target group of parents and explored their decision-making in more depth. The data from this study could also be used to supplement the information currently available to health workers. Eight participants with children between the ages of 2 months and 6 …

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Investigation Of The Contractile And Regulatory Proteins In Malignant Hyperthermia And Normal Skeletal Muscle, Louise C. Norbury Jan 1999

Investigation Of The Contractile And Regulatory Proteins In Malignant Hyperthermia And Normal Skeletal Muscle, Louise C. Norbury

Theses : Honours

Malignant hyperthermia/hyperpyrexia (MH) is a serious human skeletal muscle disorder that manifests itself during general anaesthesia. Currently, the most reliable method of diagnosing this disease is the in-vitro contracture test (IVCT). This procedure is both highly invasive for the patient and expensive to perform. The skinned muscle fibre technique is less invasive, and could possibly be used as an alternative diagnostic test for MH. In this study, skeletal muscle samples were obtained from B adults (age 23-54 years) undergoing elective surgery at Royal Perth Hospital. Six patients were diagnosed as normal (controls) and two equivocal for MH (MHE). Using the …

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Xvii International Symposium On Biomechanics In Sports, June 30-July 6, 1999, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia: Fundamental Skills, Ross Sanders (Ed.) Jan 1999

Xvii International Symposium On Biomechanics In Sports, June 30-July 6, 1999, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia: Fundamental Skills, Ross Sanders (Ed.)

Research outputs pre 2011

No abstract provided.

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Isbs '99 : Xvii International Symposium On Biomechanics In Sports, June 30-July 6, 1999, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia: Acrobatics, Spiros Prassas (Ed.) Jan 1999

Isbs '99 : Xvii International Symposium On Biomechanics In Sports, June 30-July 6, 1999, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia: Acrobatics, Spiros Prassas (Ed.)

Research outputs pre 2011

No abstract provided.

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Isbs '99 : Xvii International Symposium On Biomechanics In Sports, June 30-July 6, 1999, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia: Tennis, Elliot Bruce (Ed.) Jan 1999

Isbs '99 : Xvii International Symposium On Biomechanics In Sports, June 30-July 6, 1999, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia: Tennis, Elliot Bruce (Ed.)

Research outputs pre 2011

No abstract provided.

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Isbs '99 : Xvii International Symposium On Biomechanics In Sports, June 30-July 6, 1999, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia: Swimming, Ross Sanders (Ed.) Jan 1999

Isbs '99 : Xvii International Symposium On Biomechanics In Sports, June 30-July 6, 1999, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia: Swimming, Ross Sanders (Ed.)

Research outputs pre 2011

No abstract provided.

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A Revision Of The World Health Organisation Psychiatric Disability Assessment Schedule, Daniel Rock Jan 1999

A Revision Of The World Health Organisation Psychiatric Disability Assessment Schedule, Daniel Rock

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The burden schizophrenia places on the individual, on the family and on society in general is determined more by the associated disability rather than the manifest symptoms. Therefore, measurement of disability provides a baseline for evaluating change and directing treatment. This research has two main aims. The primary purpose of this study was to develop and validate a contemporary revision of the World Health Organisation-Psychiatric Disability Assessment Schedule (1988). Data used was based on data from the WHO Collaborative Study on Determinants of Outcome of Severe Mental Disorders (Sartorius et al., 1986). The second aim of this study was to …

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The Development And Preliminary Evaluation Of A Self-Administered Screening Instrument For First Rank Symptoms And Basic Symptoms In Psychotic And Non Psychotic Disorders, Borghild Bo Jan 1999

The Development And Preliminary Evaluation Of A Self-Administered Screening Instrument For First Rank Symptoms And Basic Symptoms In Psychotic And Non Psychotic Disorders, Borghild Bo

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The assessment of psychopathology is fundamental to clinical psychiatry. Schneider's (1959) First Rank Symptoms (FRS) are an integral part of numerous diagnostic criteria and Huber's Basic Symptoms (BS) are thought to form the basis of the FRS (Huber & Gross, 1989). The aim of the current study was to develop and evaluate a self-administered screening instrument to detect FRS and BS in clinical populations. A three stage design was used to achieve this. Stage one included the development of items and stage two was concerned with item analysis. Stage three comprised a pilot study in which a number of hypotheses …

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Reporting Misconduct : A Descriptive Study Of Whistleblowing In Nursing, Sally Mcdonald Jan 1999

Reporting Misconduct : A Descriptive Study Of Whistleblowing In Nursing, Sally Mcdonald

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This research examined the effects of whistleblowing and non-whistleblowing on nurses in Western Australia. A descriptive survey design was used to explore the physical, emotional and professional effects experienced by nurses who blew the whistle and nurses who did not blow the whistle on misconduct. This study also examined the effective and ineffective coping behaviours reported by participants. A questionnaire was developed based on Lazarus and Folkman's Stress/Coping model and mailed to 500 nurses in Western Australia. Of these, 100 returned the completed questionnaire, indicating a response rate of 20%. Ninety-five respondents wereincluded in the study; 70 were self-identified as …

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Women's Perceptions Of Successful Breastfeeding During The Early Stages Of Being A Mother, Shelagh Lawrence Jan 1998

Women's Perceptions Of Successful Breastfeeding During The Early Stages Of Being A Mother, Shelagh Lawrence

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The purpose of this qualitative study, guided by Rubin's Model was to describe women's perceptions of successful breastfeeding during the early stages of being a mother. The transition to motherhood marks a time of great developmental change in a woman's life. Infant feeding is an important aspect of this adaptation to the maternal role. The physiological benefits of breastfeeding for mother and baby are well documented, but there is limited research on the psychological advantages of breastfeeding for the mother. This Masters research was a discrete part of a larger research project entitled the Perth Metropolitan Breastfeeding Study. This project …

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A Systematic Evaluation Of Methods To Separate X- And Y- Bearing Sperm, Jacquelyn Irving Jan 1998

A Systematic Evaluation Of Methods To Separate X- And Y- Bearing Sperm, Jacquelyn Irving

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This project was initiated to determine if was possible to enrich either X- or Y- bearing sperm, and hence to preselect the sex of a child. Two of the possible reasons why couple might want to select the sex of a child are firstly because of a family history of an X-linked recessive genetic disorder, which usually only affect sons, and secondly families who have had several children of one sex. For this study, men with three or more children of the same sex were recruited following the publication of an article in The West Australian newspaper. The percentage of …

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Exclusion Mapping Of Polycystic Kidney Disease: A Third Locus, Eoin Thompson Jan 1998

Exclusion Mapping Of Polycystic Kidney Disease: A Third Locus, Eoin Thompson

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The aim of this research was to perform exclusion on a rare form of hereditary autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). To-date, two genes for ADPKD have been identified: PKDI which has been localized to the short arm of chromosome 16 and PKD2 which has been localized to the long arm of chromosome 4. However, a small number of families have been reported that have not shown linkage to either of these two loci, thus suggesting the existence of at least one additional locus (PKD3). Two families that are affected with ADPKD and do not show linkage to PKDI or …

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Accident Experience Of Commonwealth Government Employees In Western Australia : 1 June 1993 To 2 December 1995, David R. Wright Jan 1998

Accident Experience Of Commonwealth Government Employees In Western Australia : 1 June 1993 To 2 December 1995, David R. Wright

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This quantitative study documents, analyses and discusses the accident experience of Commonwealth employees in Western Australia from 1 July 1993 to 2 December 1995 as recorded on 1663 accident report forms. The research addresses the problem of lack of knowledge of accidents in the Commonwealth sector of the Western Australian work force. Its purpose is to identify possible areas of health and safety improvement and highlight where accident frequency may be reduced. Risk management is adopted as a conceptual framework to explore categories of accident related data, including month of year, time of day, day of the week of accidents, …

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Validation Of The Barkemeyer-Callon-Jones Malingering Detection Scale: The Ability Of A Scale Differentiate Simulating Malingers From Controls And Prior Litigants From Those With No Litigation Experience Within A Sample Of Men Who Have All Suffered Chronic Low Back Pain, David Curnow Jan 1998

Validation Of The Barkemeyer-Callon-Jones Malingering Detection Scale: The Ability Of A Scale Differentiate Simulating Malingers From Controls And Prior Litigants From Those With No Litigation Experience Within A Sample Of Men Who Have All Suffered Chronic Low Back Pain, David Curnow

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Chronic low back pain costs the community, and several authors have suggested that individuals often attempt to exaggerate chronic low back pain. Currently no reliable and valid scale for assessing malingering in chronic pain populations exists, and there is a large difference in opinion on the ability of experts using clinical judgment to detect malingering. The current study seeks to provide a validation for the BarkemeyerCallon-Jones Malingering Detection Scale (MDS) which has purported to be able to identify individuals attempting to malinger neurological conditions and pain. A simulation design was used, as in previous research, because it is difficult to …

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Rural Palliative Care Nursing: A Modified Grounded Theory Study, Ruth Mcconigley Jan 1998

Rural Palliative Care Nursing: A Modified Grounded Theory Study, Ruth Mcconigley

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This paper presents the findings of a study of rural palliative care nurses in Western Australia. The numbers of rural centres in Western Australia offering palliative care services are increasing; however at present there is little empirical data available about the roles of the nurses involved. This study was undertaken to begin to correct this deficit. The study examines basic social processes associated with the role of rural palliative care nurses and identities issues that affect the nurses’ professional practice. A modified grounded theory approach was used to form a conceptual framework that describes rural palliative care nursing. Theoretical sampling …

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Predicting The Severity Of Radiation Skin Reactions In Women With Breast Cancer, Davina Porock Jan 1998

Predicting The Severity Of Radiation Skin Reactions In Women With Breast Cancer, Davina Porock

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Skin reactions are unavoidable side effects of radiotherapy for breast cancer that may limit the amount of treatment a patient is able to receive. As well, the discomfort associated with the treatment may negatively affect the patient's quality of life and their willingness to complete a course of treatment that typically extends over seven weeks. Prior literature suggests that variations in patients' tissue reactions to radiation may be related to Individual patient characteristics. Before health care providers can intervene to prevent or minimise skin reactions, a clinical model that helps predict which patients will experience more skin reactions is needed. …

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Women's Perceptions Of Birth Centre Care: A Qualitative Approach, Karen Coyle Jan 1998

Women's Perceptions Of Birth Centre Care: A Qualitative Approach, Karen Coyle

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The purpose of this exploratory study was to describe women's perceptions of the care they received in a birth centre, compared to their previous experiences in a hospital. Australian statistics indicate that five percent of childbearing women now choose to receive care in a birth centre setting. Clinical outcomes of birth centre care are now well documented, but there is limited empirical data about women's experiences of this model of care. Seventeen women, who had recently given birth in a birth centre, and had previously experienced care in a hospital setting, were interviewed about their care experiences. Using content analysis, …

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The Efficacy Of A 'Spacer' In The Delivery Of Salbutamol For The Prevention Of Exercise-Induced Asthma, David G. Reed Jan 1998

The Efficacy Of A 'Spacer' In The Delivery Of Salbutamol For The Prevention Of Exercise-Induced Asthma, David G. Reed

Theses : Honours

Salbutamol is a Beta-2-agonist, commonly prescribed for the prevention and reversal of Exercise induced asthma (EIA). The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of a spacer device in the delivery of salbutamol for the prevention of EIA Thirteen confirmed asthmatic subjects (10 female and 3 male), completed 3 exercise test sessions consisting of three treatments a) Ventolin via MDI (metered dose inhaler) and placebo via spacer, b) Ventolin via spacer and placebo via MDI and c) Placebo via spacer and MDI, randomly administered utilising a single blind, cross--over design. Following treatment, subjects completed an asthmogenic physical challenge …

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Sense Of Effort Associated With Exercise In The Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Karen E. Wallman Jan 1998

Sense Of Effort Associated With Exercise In The Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Karen E. Wallman

Theses : Honours

Investigations into the mediators of effort sensation have indicated that central mechanisms related to corollary discharges may be responsible for an increased sense of effort during fatiguing isometric exercise. The role for central mediators for sense of effort have been objectively demonstrated through use of contralateral limb matching tasks. Subjects diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) often report prevalent fatigue associated with a greater sense of effort when involved in exercise. This study employed a fatiguing contralateral limb-matching task in order to determine if CFS subjects (n == 6) experienced an altered sense of effort associated with the task when …

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The Participant's Perception Of The Contribution Of Lyengar Yoga To Their Health And Well-Being, Ann Dragon Jan 1998

The Participant's Perception Of The Contribution Of Lyengar Yoga To Their Health And Well-Being, Ann Dragon

Theses : Honours

To date little research has been conducted to substantiate the many anecdotal claims that yoga improves both physical and mental health. Berger and Owen (1992) demonstrated that yoga practice could enhance mood state. Mind-body exercise modalities, such as tai chi and yoga, potentially offer significant benefit in the areas of exercise rehabilitation and health promotion strategy (LaForge, 1997). Yoga is steadily gaining popularity amongst western culture with an increasing number of people participating in this mind-body exercise modality. Investigating the perceived contribution of regular yoga practice to health and well-being could uncover a number of positive 'indicators towards exercise adherence …

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Changes In Muscular Power Associated With Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, Carmel Nottle Jan 1998

Changes In Muscular Power Associated With Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, Carmel Nottle

Theses : Honours

The aims of the this study were to investigate the effects of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) following downhill running on cycling power output and to determine the extent of any relationships between power output, strength, and DOMS. 12 active male subjects (aged 18-25 years) were randomly assigned to either a test (n=7) or control (n=5) group. The test group performed a 5 x 8 minute downhill running protocol at a grade of -7% and a speed corresponding to 80% of the subjects age predicted heart rate maximum. Measurements of isometric knee extension and flexion strength, peak and average cycling …

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Biometrics : An Exploration And Analysis Of User Acceptance Issues, Brendan J. O'Loughlin Jan 1998

Biometrics : An Exploration And Analysis Of User Acceptance Issues, Brendan J. O'Loughlin

Theses : Honours

The security industry has undergone dramatic growth over the last twenty years due to a burgeoning of demand for security products and services. The protection of people, assets and information has been prominent among the concerns of business, industry and the broader community. Crimes against domestic, commercial, and industrial premises, small and large, are a commonplace occurrence and security has therefore become an essential component of any facility's continual operation. The security industry has been quick to respond to these concerns through the rapid development of a wide range of products and services. Growth in security as an academic discipline …

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Factors Which Influence Women's Decisions For Choice Of Primary Surgery For Stage I And Stage Ii Breast Cancer, Barbara Mastaglia Jan 1998

Factors Which Influence Women's Decisions For Choice Of Primary Surgery For Stage I And Stage Ii Breast Cancer, Barbara Mastaglia

Theses : Honours

A descriptive correlational study was conducted to describe the factors that Western Australian women with either Stage I or Stage II Breast Cancer, perceived to be important considerations when deciding upon either Modified Radical Mastectomy (MRM) or Breast Conserving Treatment (BCT) for surgical treatment. The Conflict Theory of Decision Making (Janis & Mann, 1977) was used as the theoretical framework to guide this study. Ward, Heidrich and Wolberg's (1989) Factor List, the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) Scale (Wallston, Wallston & De Vellis, 1978) and a demographic questionnaire were used to measure variables. Questionnaires were mailed to a consecutive …

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