ORCID Profile
0000-0002-4764-7528
Current Organisation
University of South Australia
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Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2021
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Date: 12-2019
DOI: 10.1037/FSH0000448
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2015
DOI: 10.1016/J.CCT.2015.06.004
Abstract: Recruitment of participants into research studies has become an increasingly difficult task with justifiable criticisms of representativeness of s les. The difficulties of recruitment are exacerbated when the study is longitudinal, requires multiple members from one family and incorporates people from non-dominant ethnic backgrounds. This paper describes a complex trial's recruitment process. Family groups were required for a longitudinal randomised controlled trial investigating links between health and dietary behaviours with an aim to improve primary prevention health messages and initiatives. To be representative of the multi-ethnic composition of the South Australian population, families from three of South Australia's largest ethnic backgrounds were invited to participate. Of these, only families with participating members spanning three generations were enrolled, so that links between health and lifestyle behaviours with possible generational ties could be investigated. Immense difficulties were faced during recruitment and significant modifications to the initial recruitment plan were necessary to enable the enrolment of 96 families. Challenges faced included lack of response to recruitment materials displaying complex eligibility criteria and different response outcomes from different communities. Solutions implemented included simplifying materials and tailoring recruitment activities to specific communities' needs. This trial's recruitment journey will be used as a case study to highlight the practicalities of recruiting for complex trials. Recommendations will be provided for future researchers seeking to recruit multigenerational, multi-ethnic families into the same study, along with issues to consider regarding the implications of the recruitment journey on the integrity of a complex trial and the potential threats to internal validity.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 13-09-2016
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 19-11-2022
DOI: 10.1111/AJR.12815
Abstract: To explore rural financial counsellors' experiences interacting with psychologically distressed farmers and identify contextually appropriate methods to maintain their own well‐being and link farmers to psychological supports, within their existing roles. Rural, regional and remote Australia. Fifty rural financial counsellors participated. They worked across 6 Australian states/territories. In idual semi‐structured telephone interviews were audio‐recorded with consent. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. Themes were identified using an essentialist, bottom‐up approach. Forty‐six themes emerged relating to the 5 topics explored: (a) how to recognise distress in farmers (eg inability to focus/make decisions, deterioration in presentation/organisation, anger, blaming) (b) impact of farmers' psychological distress on the financial case management process (eg slows, disrupts or stops it, negatively impacts counsellor well‐being) (c) strategies for working effectively with distressed farmers (eg flexibility, open‐ended questions, listening to story, simplicity, instilling hope) (d) referral of distressed farmers to psychological support (eg willing if tried themselves ositive reports, lack of local rural face‐to‐face services, stigma and lack of understanding of importance challenging, a farming focus and support from family/ community assists) and (e) strategies to maintain their own well‐being (eg compartmentalising, exercise, supervision). Rural financial counsellors play an important role by recognising signs of distress in farmers and referring them to appropriate psychological supports. However, this is a demanding role and ensuring counsellors have appropriate services to refer farmers to, and support with their own well‐being, is imperative.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.PEC.2022.02.005
Abstract: To explore what is currently known about the use of virtual reality (VR) as a patient education tool in healthcare. Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review method and the PRISMA-ScR Checklist were employed. Four peer-reviewed databases were searched (Medline, Embase, PsychINFO, the Cochrane library). Pre-defined selection criteria identified 18 studies for inclusion. Results were synthesized using a narrative approach. VR as an educational tool in healthcare is feasible and acceptable, and may improve patient's knowledge about their illness and satisfaction with treatment. Most studies used the Oculus VR glasses or headset, educated patients though the use of 3D 360° VR anatomical models, and were conducted with people affected with cancer. Opportunities exist for exploring unintended consequences, and the role of VR in educating populations with lower health literacy. VR could assist in communicating medical information and knowledge to patients, but more research is needed, particularly to identify for whom and in what situations this method is most useful and to improve understanding about the potential unintended consequences. Health professionals should consider using VR to educate their patients, and researchers can use this as a road map on how to address knowledge gaps in this field.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.EJON.2016.12.005
Abstract: To improve understanding about (1) the validity of the Distress Thermometer (DT) as a measure of changes in distress after a cancer helpline call, (2) the impact of a helpline call on callers' distress, (3) caller and helpline nurses' comfort with use of the DT, and (4) the extent to which DT scores over the critical threshold, are associated with referral to internal support services for follow-up psychosocial care. Callers (people diagnosed with cancer and their family/friends: N = 100) completed a questionnaire that included DT ratings (three time-points), the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) and measures of comfort with the DT tool. Nurses recorded referrals to internal services and their comfort in using the DT in each call. The DT correlated with the DASS-21 depression (r = 0.45, p < 0.001), anxiety (r = 0.56, p < 0.001) and stress (r = 0.64, p < 0.001) subscales demonstrating validity. Callers' self-rated distress was significantly lower after the call, regardless of gender or caller type (F(2, 97) = 63.67, p < 0.01, partial eta squared = 0.57). Over 74% of people diagnosed with cancer, 80% family/friends and 89.3% of nurses felt comfortable with DT use. Only 16% of participants were referred on to follow-up internal support services despite 90% of people with cancer and 75% of family/friends' DT scores' suggesting they required follow-up care. The DT is a valid and acceptable tool for use by cancer helplines. Improved documentation of referrals is required to better understand referral patterns.
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 08-02-2022
DOI: 10.2196/31018
Abstract: A large number of Australians experience mental health challenges at some point in their lives. However, in many parts of Australia, the wait times to see general practitioners and mental health professionals can be lengthy. With increasing internet use across Australia, web-based interventions may help increase access to timely mental health care. As a result, this is an area of increasing research interest, and the number of publicly available web-based interventions is growing. However, it can be confusing for clinicians and consumers to know the resources that are evidence-based and best meet their needs. This study aims to scope out the range of web-based mental health interventions that address depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, or general mental well-being and are freely available to Australian adults, along with their impact, acceptability, therapeutic approach, and key features. The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR [PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews]) guided the review process. Keywords for the search were depression, anxiety, suicide, and well-being. The search was conducted using Google as well as the key intervention databases Beacon, Head to Health, and e-Mental Health in Practice. Interventions were deemed eligible if they targeted depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, or general mental well-being (eg, resilience) in adults and were web-based, written in English, interactive, free, and publicly available. They also had to be guided by an evidence-based therapeutic approach. Overall, 52 eligible programs were identified, of which 9 (17%) addressed depression, 15 (29%) addressed anxiety, 13 (25%) addressed general mental well-being, and 13 (25%) addressed multiple issues. Only 4% (2/52) addressed distress in the form of suicidal ideation. The most common therapeutic approach was cognitive behavioral therapy. Half of the programs guided users through exercises in a set sequence, and most programs enabled users to log in and complete the activities on their own without professional support. Just over half of the programs had been evaluated for their effectiveness in reducing symptoms, and 11% (6/52) were being evaluated at the time of writing. Program evaluation scores ranged from 44% to 100%, with a total average score of 85%. There are numerous web-based programs for depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and general well-being, which are freely and publicly available in Australia. However, identified gaps include a lack of available web-based interventions for culturally and linguistically erse populations and programs that use newer therapeutic approaches such as acceptance and commitment therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. Despite most programs included in this review being of good quality, clinicians and consumers should pay careful attention when selecting which program to recommend and use, as variations in the levels of acceptability and impact of publicly available programs do exist.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 14-09-2023
Publisher: American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
Date: 09-2019
DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-19-0089
Abstract: Suboptimal participation is commonly observed in colorectal cancer screening programs utilizing fecal tests. This randomized controlled trial tested whether the offer of a blood test as either a “rescue” strategy for fecal test nonparticipants or an upfront choice, could improve participation. A total of 1,800 people (50–74 years) were randomized to control, rescue, or choice groups (n = 600/group). All were mailed a fecal immunochemical test (FIT, OC-Sensor, Eiken Chemical Company) and a survey assessing awareness of the screening tests. The rescue group was offered a blood test 12 weeks after FIT nonparticipation. The choice group was given the opportunity to choose to do a blood test (Colvera, Clinical Genomics) instead of FIT at baseline. Participation with any test after 24 weeks was not significantly different between groups (control, 37.8% rescue, 36.9% choice, 33.8% P & 0.05). When the rescue strategy was offered after 12 weeks, an additional 6.5% participated with the blood test, which was greater than the blood test participation when offered as an upfront choice (1.5% P & 0.001). Awareness of the tests was greater for FIT than for blood (96.2% vs. 23.1% P & 0.0001). In a population familiar with FIT screening, provision of a blood test either as a rescue of FIT nonparticipants or as an upfront choice did not increase overall participation. This might reflect a lack of awareness of the blood test for screening compared with FIT.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 08-2017
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 07-06-2021
Abstract: large number of Australians experience mental health challenges at some point in their lives. However, in many parts of Australia, the wait times to see general practitioners and mental health professionals can be lengthy. With increasing internet use across Australia, web-based interventions may help increase access to timely mental health care. As a result, this is an area of increasing research interest, and the number of publicly available web-based interventions is growing. However, it can be confusing for clinicians and consumers to know the resources that are evidence-based and best meet their needs. his study aims to scope out the range of web-based mental health interventions that address depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, or general mental well-being and are freely available to Australian adults, along with their impact, acceptability, therapeutic approach, and key features. he PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR [PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews]) guided the review process. Keywords for the search were depression, anxiety, suicide, and well-being. The search was conducted using Google as well as the key intervention databases Beacon, Head to Health, and e-Mental Health in Practice. Interventions were deemed eligible if they targeted depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, or general mental well-being (eg, resilience) in adults and were web-based, written in English, interactive, free, and publicly available. They also had to be guided by an evidence-based therapeutic approach. verall, 52 eligible programs were identified, of which 9 (17%) addressed depression, 15 (29%) addressed anxiety, 13 (25%) addressed general mental well-being, and 13 (25%) addressed multiple issues. Only 4% (2/52) addressed distress in the form of suicidal ideation. The most common therapeutic approach was cognitive behavioral therapy. Half of the programs guided users through exercises in a set sequence, and most programs enabled users to log in and complete the activities on their own without professional support. Just over half of the programs had been evaluated for their effectiveness in reducing symptoms, and 11% (6/52) were being evaluated at the time of writing. Program evaluation scores ranged from 44% to 100%, with a total average score of 85%. here are numerous web-based programs for depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and general well-being, which are freely and publicly available in Australia. However, identified gaps include a lack of available web-based interventions for culturally and linguistically erse populations and programs that use newer therapeutic approaches such as acceptance and commitment therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. Despite most programs included in this review being of good quality, clinicians and consumers should pay careful attention when selecting which program to recommend and use, as variations in the levels of acceptability and impact of publicly available programs do exist.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 05-07-2021
Abstract: Melanoma is the most common cancer among young Australians. Despite school-based programs such as ‘Sun Smart’ leading to increased knowledge among children of the harmful effects of sun exposure, many young adults continue to desire a darker skin tone because of a general perception among their peers that tanned skin is attractive. This ‘tanned-ideal’ may be challenged through exposure to material posted on social media. This study aimed to investigate the impact of two online interventions on knowledge of skin cancer and intentions to engage in sun tanning and protective behaviours, as assessed by survey. In addition, the likelihood that the intervention would be ‘shared’ on social media was explored by interview during an intervention session. Eighteen women aged 18–24 years participated in this pilot, mixed-methods intervention study. Participants completed surveys 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after attending an intervention session in which they viewed a video and completed a face-aging activity, with the order of completion balanced within the s le. Two weeks after the intervention, there was a significant increase in knowledge and intended sun protection behaviours and a significant decrease in intended future tanning hours. There was no effect of intervention order. Interview data indicated that younger participants would share the ageing application with peers because it was fun older participants reported that they would share the video because it was educational. Factors that encourage sharing on social media include being realistic, instructive or personally meaningful, and short in duration.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 27-03-2019
DOI: 10.1093/TBM/IBY030
Abstract: In many Western countries, immigrants exhibit disparities in cancer incidence and mortality, and variable uptake of cancer prevention services. New immigrants may not be aware of cancer risks pertinent to their new country, or prevention resources. Traditional cancer prevention health messaging may not be accessible for cultural, language, or literacy reasons. New methods are needed. In North America, health message delivery via English classes for immigrants is showing potential as an efficacious and a feasible way to reach immigrants at the same time improving language skills. Interventions published to date are promising but limited in their ability to generalize or be adapted to a variety of populations and settings. This concept paper aims to synthesize previous findings and identify ways to improve and advance the translation potential of this approach. We propose that this could be achieved by (i) using a translation framework to guide intervention planning, development, implementation, and evaluation (ii) encouraging and evaluating health message spread throughout language learners' social networks and (iii) incorporating cultural sensitivity into the curriculum. A pilot project following these recommendations is planned for Australia and will be discussed. These recommendations could serve as a framework to fit the requirements of immigrant language programs in other countries and other health topics.
No related grants have been discovered for Donna Hughes-Barton.