ORCID Profile
0000-0002-4166-2516
Current Organisation
Monash University
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Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.RADI.2017.03.016
Abstract: Evidence demonstrates that health care professionals in the palliative care context are more burned out than other health professionals. The aims of this study were to examine: (1) occupational burnout levels among radiation therapists in Australia, (2) association between demographic factors on burnout and (3) radiation therapists' perceptions of burnout. A cross-sectional online survey including the Maslach Burnout Inventory was administered to Radiation Therapists in Australia. Data were analysed using SPSS Ver 20 and open ended comments were analysed thematically using Nvivo 10. A total of 200 radiation therapists participated in the survey. RTs had a high mean (±SD) burnout score for emotional exhaustion (38.5 ± 8.2), depersonalisation (17.5 ± 4.7) and personal achievement (30.5.3 ± 4.3) compared to RTs and health workers in other studies. High levels of emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and low levels of personal achievement were present in 93% (186/200), 87% (174/200) and 61% (122/200) of participants respectively. RTs identified high workload and staff shortages, interpersonal conflict and technology as key sources of stress in the RT work environment. Australian RTs' level of burnout on all three stages of burnout exceed previously reported burnout levels for similar cohorts both locally and internationally. It is important that future interventions aimed at minimising or preventing stressors are identified and implemented in the radiation therapy work environment.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.JMIR.2016.09.005
Abstract: Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients are one of the highest health care service users globally. In the context of radiography, there are many AD patients who undergo imaging procedures for common age-related conditions. However, there is currently no literature on how radiographers can effectively manage such patients in imaging situations. This review examined the literature regarding the interaction between Alzheimer's patients and other health care professionals (eg, nurses) and the strategies that have been used to improve patient compliance and accommodate functional decline. Many strategies relating to care of patients with AD are long term, and cannot be applied in a radiographic setting, where patients may only present once. Transferrable strategies for a radiographic setting include the support of carers during the examination process, a reduction in noise and use of calming music, and allowing the patient to personalize the examination room by bringing a photograph or an item of comfort. These simple strategies can reduce the level of anxiety experienced by AD patients, reduce typical behavioral symptoms of agitation, aggression and discomfort, and increase patient cooperation and responsiveness.
Publisher: AME Publishing Company
Date: 09-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2021
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 23-07-2016
DOI: 10.1111/COGS.12399
Abstract: Context is an important construct in many domains of cognition, including learning, memory, and emotion. We used dynamical systems methods to demonstrate the episodic nature of experience by showing a natural separation between the scales over which within-context and between-context relationships operate. To do this, we represented an in idual's emails extending over about 5 years in a high-dimensional semantic space and computed the dimensionalities of the subspaces occupied by these emails. Personal discourse has a two-scaled geometry with smaller within-context dimensionalities than between-context dimensionalities. Prior studies have shown that reading experience (Doxas, Dennis, & Oliver, 2010) and visual experience (Sreekumar, Dennis, Doxas, Zhuang, & Belkin, 2014) have a similar two-scaled structure. Furthermore, the recurrence plot of the emails revealed that experience is predictable and hierarchical, supporting the constructs of some influential theories of memory. The results demonstrate that experience is not scale-free and provide an important target for accounts of how experience shapes cognition.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 20-11-2017
DOI: 10.1002/JUM.14481
Abstract: Ultrasound can lead to thermal and mechanical effects in interrogated tissues. This possibility suggests a potential risk during neonatal cranial ultrasound examinations. The aim of this study was to explore safety knowledge and training of neonatal cranial ultrasound among Australian operators who routinely perform these scans. An online survey was administered on biosafety and training in neonatal cranial ultrasound, targeting all relevant professionals who can perform neonatal cranial ultrasound examinations in Australia: namely, radiologists, neonatologists, sonographers, and pediatricians. The survey was conducted between November 2013 and May 2014. A total of 282 responses were received. Twenty of 208 (10%) answered all ultrasound biosafety questions correctly, and 49 of 169 (29%) correctly defined the thermal index. Two-thirds (134 of 214 [63%]) of respondents failed to recognize that reducing the overall scanning time is the most effective method of reducing the total power exposure. Only 13% (31 of 237) indicated that a predetermined fixed period of training or that a specified minimum number of supervised scans was used during training. The reported number of supervised scans during training was highly variable. Almost half of the participants (82 of 181 [45%]) stated that they had received supervision for 10 to 50 scans (median, 20 scans). There is a need to educate operators on biosafety issues and approaches to minimize power outputs and reduce the overall duration of cranial ultrasound scans. Development of standardized training requirements may be warranted.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 20-07-2016
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 25-09-2020
DOI: 10.1002/BJS.12050
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 20-03-2014
DOI: 10.1007/S10926-014-9506-9
Abstract: Mental health conditions (MHC) are an increasing reason for claiming injury compensation in Australia however little is known about how these claims are managed by different gatekeepers to injury entitlements. This study, drawing on the views of four stakeholders-general practitioners (GPs), injured persons, employers and compensation agents, aims to describe current management of MHC claims and to identify the current barriers to return to work (RTW) for injured persons with a MHC claim and/or mental illness. Ninety-three in-depth interviews were undertaken with GPs, compensation agents, employers and injured persons. Data were collected in Melbourne, Australia. Thematic techniques were used to analyse data. MHC claims were complex to manage because of initial assessment and diagnostic difficulties related to the invisibility of the injury, conflicting medical opinions and the stigma associated with making a MHC claim. Mental illness also developed as a secondary issue in the recovery process. These factors made MHC difficult to manage and impeded timely RTW. It is necessary to undertake further research (e.g. guideline development) to improve current practice in order to enable those with MHC claims to make a timely RTW. Further education and training interventions (e.g. on diagnosis and management of MHC) are also needed to enable GPs, employers and compensation agents to better assess and manage MHC claims.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 18-10-2017
Abstract: Evidence demonstrates that health care professionals are more prone to burnout than other professionals due to the emotionally taxing interactions they have with their patients on a daily basis. The aims of this study were to measure occupational burnout levels among sonographers, radiographers and radiologists and to examine predictors of burnout according to demographic characteristics. A cross-sectional online survey was administered in 2010 to radiographers, sonographers and radiologists who were members of the following professional bodies: Australian Institute of Radiography, Australian Sonographers Association and The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists. The Maslach Burnout Inventory was used to measure burnout levels for each profession. Data were analysed using SPSS Ver 20 (IBM, Chicago, IL, USA) statistical software. A total of 613 radiographers, 121 sonographers and 35 radiologists participated in the survey. Radiographers, sonographers and radiologists had a high mean (±SD) burnout score for emotional exhaustion (39.9 ± 8.5, 42.2 ± 8.5 and 44.9 ± 7.1 respectively) and depersonalization (18.9 ± 5.5, 20.3 ± 5.8 and 20.6 ± 5.6) compared to MBI norms. Radiographers also had low personal achievement (30.8 ± 5.5) compared to MBI norms. Radiographers and sonographers who were male, worked >10 hours overtime and spent <10% of their time training students per week had significantly higher depersonalization scores (p < 0.05). Burnout levels among radiographers, sonographers and radiologists are high and likely to vary according to some demographic and work-related factors. Further research is needed to examine ways to alleviate burnout in these professions so that loss of experienced staff due to burnout can be minimized and quality of patient care can be maintained.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 2016
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 15-08-2015
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 11-04-2017
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.JMIR.2016.09.003
Abstract: Down syndrome is a common human genetic disorder caused by trisomy of chromosome 21. In iduals with Down syndrome can present with a range of health issues during their lives that may require imaging for diagnosis. Radiographers, therefore, play a significant role in the management and communication of Down syndrome patients' health. This review identified patient-centered strategies that radiographers should use to provide quality imaging services for Down syndrome patients, who may have limited verbal ability and behavioral issues. A systematic review using the established PRISMA guidelines was undertaken of current literature obtained through the Ovid and Scopus databases. A total of 189 articles were found, of which 41 were categorized and analyzed in detail. A high level of care for Down syndrome patients will require longer than usual procedures, and the patients will not respond well to being rushed or ignored. Down syndrome patients have difficulty verbalizing, yet they understand more than is often thought. In iduals may require increased imaging time to give them time to respond, especially to pain. Patients are at risk of injury with AAI or other pathologies, and caution should be taken with flexion and extension spine x-rays. Radiographs may reveal undisclosed physical abuse. Specific strategies with verbal and nonverbal communication help to facilitate communication, reduce anxiety and fear, and improve compliance with Down syndrome patients. Patients may require an increased level of care increased imaging time and allowing support people to be present during the examination process.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.RADI.2016.10.011
Abstract: Cumulative radiation exposure is linked to increasing the lifetime attributable risk of cancer. To avoid unnecessary radiation exposure and facilitate shared decision making, patients should be aware of these issues. This paper examines patients' awareness of radiation dose and risks associated with medical imaging examinations. Consecutive patients attending a private radiology clinic over a nine week period in 2014 in Metropolitan Melbourne were surveyed while waiting to undergo an imaging examination. Patients who were under 18 years of age, did not speak English and/or were referred for interventional imaging procedures were excluded from participation. Survey questions addressed patients' awareness of radiation dose associated with various imaging modalities' and patients' experience and preferences regarding communication of information about radiation. Data was analysed using SPSS (Ver 20.1). A total of 242 surveys were completed. Most participants were male (143/239, 59.8%) and aged between 33 and 52 years (109/242, 45%). Over half of participants were not concerned about radiation from medical imaging (130/238, 54.6%). Only a third of participants (80/234, 34.2%) correctly reported that CT has a higher radiation dose than X-ray. Very few participants correctly identified mammography, DEXA, PET and PET/CT as radiation emitting examinations. The majority of participants (202/236, 85.6%) indicated that they were not informed about radiation dose and risks by their referring doctor in advance. This paper provides information relevant to a single private radiology clinic in Australia. Nevertheless, our results have shown that patients presenting for medical imaging have little awareness of radiation dose and risks associated with these examinations and received little information by their referring physicians or staff at the radiology clinic.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 03-12-2011
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2018
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2016
DOI: 10.1071/AH14136
Abstract: Objective The aim of this study was to present the views of four stakeholder groups, namely general practitioners (GP), employers (EMP), injured workers (IW) and compensation agents (CA), about the content and usability of the draft of the new Victorian sickness certificate. Methods A cross-sectional mixed-methods qualitative study was conducted in GP clinics and community settings in Melbourne, Australia. Interviews were conducted with GPs, EMPs and IWs and one focus group discussion was completed with CAs (n = 29). Data were collected between October and December 2013. Thematic analysis was performed. Results All stakeholders viewed the new draft certificate as an improvement on the old one. GPs saw the certificate as a form of communication, whereas EMPs and CAs saw it as a therapeutic device. GPs continued to certify based on incapacity and provided little information about what IWs could do on return to work. All groups said that assessments for mental health needed more clarity and specificity. GPs, EMPs and CAs also said that the new certificates must be electronically available and integrated into existing medical software to streamline uptake. Conclusions To ensure appropriate use of the new certificate, stakeholders must share a common understanding about its purpose and the certificate must be incorporated into existing medical software. Content on mental health assessment, an area of continued difficulty, needs additional refinement. The new certificate replaced the old certificate in March 2015 after it has been established in clinical practice, an impact evaluation should be completed to determine whether GPs are certifying capacity and earlier return to work. What is known about the topic? When it comes to sickness certification, GPs tend to focus on what injured patients cannot do, rather than what they can do. The new sickness certificate aims to change GP behaviour by focusing the certificate more on capacity (i.e. what the injured patient can do). What does this paper add? Four stakeholder groups agreed that the content and usability of the new certificate has improved. However, they agreed that the assessment of mental health capacity needs further specificity. Dissonances also remain between the stakeholders on the purpose of the certificate. What are the implications for practitioners? Appropriate use of the new certificate requires a common understanding about the purpose of the certificate, training on its appropriate use, incorporation into existing medical software and clarity on mental health assessment.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2020
No related grants have been discovered for Nabita Singh.