ORCID Profile
0000-0002-7409-7007
Current Organisations
Flinders University
,
Edith Cowan University
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Horticultural Production | Oenology and Viticulture
Expanding Knowledge in the Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences | Wine Grapes |
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 08-10-2021
DOI: 10.1017/S1049023X21001126
Abstract: As the understanding of health care worker lived experience during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) grows, the experiences of those utilizing emergency health care services (EHS) during the pandemic are yet to be fully appreciated. The objective of this research was to explore lived experience of EHS utilization in Victoria, Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic from March 2020 through March 2021. An explorative qualitative design underpinned by a phenomenological approach was applied. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews, which were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using Colaizzi’s approach. Qualitative data were collected from 67 participants aged from 32 to 78-years-of-age (average age of 52). Just over one-half of the research participants were male (54%) and three-quarters lived in metropolitan regions (75%). Four key themes emerged from data analysis: (1) Concerns regarding exposure and infection delayed EHS utilization among participants with chronic health conditions (2) Participants with acute health conditions expressed concern regarding the impact of COVID-19 on their care, but continued to access services as required (3) Participants caring for people with sensory and developmental disabilities identified unique communication needs during interactions with EHS during the COVID-19 pandemic communicating with emergency health care workers wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) was identified as a key challenge, with face masks reported as especially problematic for people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing and (4) Children and older people also experienced communication challenges associated with PPE, and the need for connection with emergency health care workers was important for positive lived experience during interactions with EHS throughout the pandemic. This research provides an important insight into the lived experience of EHS utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic, a perspective currently lacking in the published peer-reviewed literature.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 02-03-2022
DOI: 10.1017/S1049023X22000322
Abstract: The 2019-2020 “Black Summer” bushfires in Australia focused the attention of the nation on the critical role that volunteer firefighters play in the response to such a disaster, spurring a national conversation about how to best support those on the frontline. The objective of this research was to explore the impact of the Black Summer bushfires on volunteer firefighter well-being and to investigate how to deliver effective well-being support. An explorative qualitative design underpinned by a phenomenological approach was applied. Participant recruitment followed a multi-modal s ling strategy and data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Qualitative data were collected from 58 participants aged from 23 to 61-years-of-age (average age of 46 years). All self-reported as volunteer firefighters who had responded to the Black Summer bushfires in Australia. Just over 80% of participants were male and the majority lived in the Australian states of New South Wales (65%) and Victoria (32%). All participants reported impact on their well-being, resulting from cumulative trauma exposure, responding to fires in local communities, intense work demands, minimal intervals between deployments, and disruption to primary employment. In regard to supporting well-being, four key themes emerged from data analysis: (1) Well-being support needs to be both proactive and reactive and empower local leaders to “reach in” while encouraging responders to “reach out ” (2) Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) should not be the only well-being support option available (3) The sharing of lived experience is important and (4) Support programs need to address self-stigmatization. Participants in this research identified that effective well-being support needs to be both proactive and reactive and holistic in approach.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 09-09-2023
DOI: 10.1017/DMP.2021.288
Abstract: The majority of research investigating healthcare workers’ (HCWs) willingness to work during public health emergencies, asks participants to forecast their perceptions based on hypothetical emergencies, rather than in response to the actual public health emergencies they have experienced. This research explored frontline HCWs willingness to work during Australia’s first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic among frontline HCWs. Participants ( n = 580) completed an online questionnaire regarding their willingness to work during the pandemic. A total of 42% of participants reported being less willing to work during the pandemic compared to before. Availability of personal protective equipment (PPE), concern expressed by family members, and viral exposure were significant barriers. A third of participants disagreed that some level of occupational risk for exposure to infectious disease was acceptable while a quarter of participants had received communications from their workplace concerning obligations to work during COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted Australian frontline HCWs’ willingness to work. Scarcity of PPE and exposure to the virus were the most cited reasons impacting on willingness to work. Appropriate policies and practices should be implemented and communicated efficiently to frontline HCW’s. This research provides insight into the lived experiences of Australian healthcare professionals’ willingness to work during a pandemic.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 10-2018
DOI: 10.1097/SIH.0000000000000318
Abstract: Many healthcare education commentators suggest that moulage can be used in simulation to enhance scenario realism. However, few studies investigate to what extent using moulage in simulation impacts learners. We undertook a mixed-methods pilot study investigating how moulage influences student immersion and performance in simulation. Fifty undergraduate paramedicine students were randomized into two groups completing a trauma-based scenario with or without patient moulage. Task immersion was determined via a self-report questionnaire (National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index), eye-tracking, and postsimulation interviews. Performance was measured via independent observation of video by two paramedic clinical educators and time-to-action—when students first applied pressure to the primary wound. Eye-tracking suggested that students attended to the thigh wound more often with the inclusion of moulage than without. National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index data suggested that the inclusion of moulage heightened students' feeling of being rushed throughout the scenario. This elicited an expedited performance of tasks with moulage present compared with not. Students experienced greater immersion with the inclusion of moulage. However, including moulage enhanced scenario difficulty to the extent that overall clinical performance was negatively affected. However, no differences were found when more heavily weighting items felt to contribute most to the survivability of the patient. Including moulage engendered immersion and a greater sense of urgency and did not sacrifice performance of key life-saving interventions. As a result of undertaking this pilot project, we suggest that a large-scale randomized controlled trial is feasible and should be undertaken before implementing change to curricula.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 26-09-2011
DOI: 10.1136/TOBACCOCONTROL-2011-050087
Abstract: Australia has introduced legislation to force all cigarette packaging to be generic from 2012 onwards. The tobacco retail industry estimates this will result in transaction times increasing by 15-45 s per pack and is spending at least $A10 million of tobacco industry funds on an advertising c aigns claiming that the increased time and errors associated with plain packaging will ultimately cost small businesses $A 461 million per annum and endanger 15,000 jobs. We undertook an objective experiment to test these claims. Participants (n=52) were randomly assigned to stand in front of a display of either 50 plain or coloured cigarette packets and then were read a randomly ordered list of cigarette brands. The time participants took to locate each packet was recorded and all selection errors were noted. After 50 'transactions', participants repeated the entire experiment with the alternative plain/coloured packs. Afterwards, participants were asked in an open-ended manner whether plain or coloured packaging was easier to locate and why. The average transaction was significantly quicker for plain compared with coloured packs (2.92 vs 3.17 s p=0.040). One or more mistakes were made by 40.4% of participants when selecting coloured packaging compared with only 17.3% for plain packaging (p=0.011). Qualitative results suggested that the colours and inconsistent location of brand names often served to distract when participants scanned for brands. Rather than plain packaging requiring an additional 45 s per transaction, our results suggest that it will, if anything, modestly decrease transaction times and selection errors.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 02-2016
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2014
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 18-09-2019
DOI: 10.1080/13561820.2019.1659759
Abstract: Many higher education institutions struggle to provide interprofessional practice opportunities for their pre-licensure students due to demanding workloads, difficulties with timetabling, and problems with sourcing suitable placements that provide appropriate practice opportunities. A series of complex unfolding video-based simulation scenarios involving a patient who had experienced a stroke was utilized as a case study for a three-hour interprofessional practice workshop. 69 occupational therapy (OT), speech pathology (SP) and dietetics (DT) students participated in a mixed-methods study comparing interprofessional attitudes before and after the workshop. Attitudes toward interprofessional practice improved pre- vs. post-workshop and overall. Students were highly satisfied with the workshops contribution toward learning, although OT and SP students were more satisfied than DT students. Focus groups confirmed students liked the format and structure of the workshop, suggested that students better understood the role of other professions and improved role clarification, increased their confidence to practice in interprofessional practice settings, but noted the experience could have been improved with the incorporation of nursing and smaller groups to better facilitate participation. There is widespread support for implementing interprofessional education (IPE) in the health sciences, yet widespread implementation is not yet a reality. This research suggests that a simulation-based, three-hour IPE workshop can have an immediate benefit on confidence and attitudes toward interprofessional practice for allied health students.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 04-05-2017
DOI: 10.1002/MAR.21012
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2022
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 07-10-2019
DOI: 10.3390/NU11102395
Abstract: Overweight and obesity in childhood is a significant public health issue. Family day care (FDC) offers a setting where good eating habits can be nurtured in young children, yet often the food environment is unhealthy. This study aims to determine FDC educators’ knowledge and confidence about nutrition and the barriers and enablers to supporting healthy food environments. Australian FDC educators were recruited to a mixed methods study using self-administered e-surveys and qualitative in-depth interviews. The survey data (n = 188) revealed good knowledge about sugary foods, but poor knowledge of protein-rich foods. Nutrition knowledge was not associated with confidence to make nutrition recommendations. Interviews (n = 9) revealed parents’ dietary choices and educators’ personal beliefs as barriers to healthy food environments, although importantly, the FDC educator role was identified as being pivotal in supporting the health and wellbeing of children and their families. This study highlights that FDC-specific nutrition education and support is vital to ensure children at FDC and their families are exposed to healthy food environments. Research to investigate specific avenues for nutrition education promotion programs specifically designed to support the unique role played by FDC educators is needed, in order to support the long-term health and welfare of the next generation of Australians.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.AUEC.2022.04.002
Abstract: To investigate the Australian general public's ability to identify common medical emergencies as requiring an emergency response. An online survey asked participants to identify likely medical treatment pathways they would take for 17 hypothetical medical scenarios (eight emergency and nine non-emergency). The number and type of emergency scenarios participants correctly suggested warranted an emergency medical response was examined. Participants included Australian residents (aged>18 years n = 5264) who had never worked as an Australian registered medical doctor, nurse or paramedic. Most emergencies were predominately correctly classified as requiring emergency responses (e.g. Severe chest pain, 95% correct). However, non-emergency medical responses were often chosen for some emergency scenarios, such as a child suffering from a scalp haematoma (67%), potential meningococcal disease (57%), a box jellyfish sting (40%), a paracetamol overdose (37%), and mild chest pain (26%). Participants identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander suggested a non-emergency response to emergency scenarios 29% more often compared with non-indigenous participants. Educational interventions targeting specific medical symptoms may work to alleviate delayed emergency medical intervention. This research highlights a particular need for improving symptom identification and healthcare system confidence amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 06-2020
DOI: 10.1017/DMP.2020.212
Abstract: Previous research has identified a lack of clarification regarding paramedic professional obligation to work. Understanding community expectations of paramedics will provide some clarity around this issue. The objective of this research was to explore the expectations of a s le of Australian community members regarding the professional obligation of paramedics to respond during pandemics. The authors used qualitative methods to gather Australian community member perspectives immediately before the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Focus groups were used for data collection, and a thematic analysis was conducted. The findings revealed 9 key themes: context of obligation (normal operations versus crisis situation), hierarchy of obligation (in idual versus organizational obligation), risk acceptability, acceptable occupational risk (it’s part of the job), access to personal protective equipment, legal and ethical guidelines, education and training, safety, and acceptable limitations to obligation. The factors identified as being acceptable limitations to professional obligation are presented as further sub-themes: physical health, mental health, and competing personal obligations. The issue of professional obligation must be addressed by ambulance services as a matter of urgency, especially in light of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Further research is recommended to understand how community member expectations evolve during and after the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
Publisher: Center for Open Science
Date: 18-04-2023
Abstract: Objective: The aims of this research paper are to evaluate the 6-item Brief Emotional Experience Scale (BEES) by examining (1) evaluate the underlying factor structure, (2) time to complete, (3) associated distress with completion, and (4) scoring categories. Method: The BEES factor structure was evaluated across three separate studies, Study 1 consisted of a large public s le (n = 5631), with studies 2 (n = 326) and 3 (n = 1239) consisting of university student s les. For testing convergent validity, the BEES was significantly correlated with a range of established wellbeing measures across studies 2 and 3. Time-to-complete and distress associated with answering surveys was recorded in study 3. Additionally, in study 3, scoring categories were determined for the BEES. Results: Across the three studies, we found a correlated 2-factor structure, comprising positive and negative emotions, as the best fitting model. Evidence of sound internal reliability (Cronbach’s α = .84) and convergent validity was found via strong associations with other established wellbeing measures (rs = .55 - .86). The BEES was also found to have the lowest level of distress associated with completing it compared with other wellbeing validation measures, and the lowest average time-to-complete (less than 30 seconds). Conclusion: The results provide evidence that the BEES is a reliable and valid very brief measure of self-reported emotional wellbeing. We also provide scoring category cut-off values for the BEES to facilitate use as an emotional wellbeing screening tool.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 2020
DOI: 10.33151/AJP.17.732
Abstract: Ensuring undergraduate healthcare students are work ready graduates who possess real-world experiences and realistic expectations of their professional environment is essential for Australian universities. This is becoming increasingly more difficult to accomplish with ongoing difficulties on sourcing appropriate clinical placement learning opportunities. We developed and piloted a simulated paramedic night shift investigating if undergraduate paramedic students perceived the experience to be realistic and to what extent they felt it contributed toward their learning. A total of 24 undergraduate paramedic students were recruited to participate in a simulated 13-hour paramedic night shift held on university c us. Student satisfaction and perceived value towards learning was measured using an online survey the day after the simulation. 23 of 24 participants completed the online survey. Survey data suggested 22 participants felt the simulated night shift to be realistic of real-life paramedic practice, provided a valuable learning experience and should be made a mandatory component of undergraduate paramedicine curricula. Given the difficulties associated with providing clinical placement opportunities for students and the perception among health professionals that on entering the workforce many graduates often lack the adaptability required to undertake shift-work and the professional role of a paramedic, educators should consider the merits of providing overnight simulated experiences to undergraduate students to better prepare and acclimatise students to overnight shift work.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 06-11-2019
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2020
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 22-03-2019
DOI: 10.33151/AJP.16.626
Abstract: IntroductionAmbulance services are often utilised for low-acuity conditions. This study seeks to understand under what medical circumstances the Australian public perceive it to be appropriate to call triple zero requesting ambulance assistance.Methods A total of 544 participants completed a 15-minute online survey distributed via social media, flyers and email links. Participants viewed 17 medical case study scenarios, developed in consultation with a panel of paramedic experts, and were asked to select which of nine possible medical interventions was most appropriate. A panel of paramedic experts reached consensus for each case study on whether it was or was not appropriate to call for triple zero assistance. Results Inappropriate medical intervention responses were more prevalent in scenarios deemed appropriate for ambulance assistance, compared with scenarios where an ambulance call-out was inappropriate (48% vs. 3% respectively, p .001). Many scenarios where ambulance use was appropriate found respondents utilising other healthcare services typically associated with lower-acuity conditions. In iduals without first aid training were more inclined to choose healthcare services incorrectly (65% vs. 69% respectively, p .001). ConclusionResponses to our case studies suggested a lack of understanding of situations that warrant an emergency. First aid training and education regarding medical emergencies and paramedic scope-of-practice would be beneficial. This study did not demonstrate substantial inappropriate ambulance usage, however respondents did not recognise the severity of certain emergencies and were inclined to utilise other healthcare services. Further research investigating the rationale behind triple zero use, improving public education and clarifying the role of paramedics is required.
Publisher: Emerald
Date: 29-03-2011
DOI: 10.1108/13555851111120506
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the response of members to a rebranding strategy implemented by a member‐owned organisation. More specifically, the authors examine the impact of rebranding awareness and attitude towards rebranding on the members' perceived value of their memberships, their satisfaction and, subsequently, their commitment to the organisation. The research employed in‐depth interviews followed by a quantitative survey. Data were collected online from 264 current members of Dogs SA and data analysis employed SEM principles. Findings demonstrate that the members' awareness of a rebranding attempt can significantly enhance perceived membership value, leading to increased levels of satisfaction. With both perceived value and satisfaction antecedents of membership commitment, the importance of such improvements cannot be underestimated. Despite a high response rate of 88 per cent, only ten per cent of the membership base was included in the initial s le. Limitations relate to the single context, a canine association, and single rebranding attempt examined in this paper. Only three outcome measures were included, namely membership value, satisfaction and commitment. While non‐profit member‐owned organisations play an increasingly important role in our economic and social environment, participation rates are dropping in many such organisations. If they are to remain viable, the commitment of existing members must be improved. The study provides managers with important insight into a potentially powerful strategy to increase underpin membership dedication by means of satisfaction and enhanced perceived value. This paper successfully integrates relationship marketing and rebranding literature domains, producing significant implications for non‐profit membership organisations.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2022
Abstract: To explore perceptions of alcohol and other drug (AOD) education and digital game design preferences among Australian adolescents with the goal of identifying key factors to promote engagement in an AOD serious game for Australian secondary school students. Semi-structured focus groups were conducted with 36 adolescents aged between 13 and 18 years. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis. Participants described heightened engagement with AOD education that incorporated relatable and relevant real-life stories and interactive discussions. They also expressed a desire for learning to focus on practical strategies to reduce AOD harm and overcome social pressure to use AOD. Participants highlighted the importance of incorporating relatable characters and context-relevant scenarios in promoting engagement, and identified social elements, player choice, and optimal challenge as important game design considerations. A focus on meaningful realistic scenarios, relatable characters, relevant information and practical skills may promote high school aged students' engagement with AOD educational content. Game designs incorporating social elements and decision-making opportunities may be conducive to promoting engagement and enhancing learning. Findings from this study can be used by researchers and game designers for the development of future AOD serious games targeted at Australian adolescents.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2022
Abstract: This research sought to gauge the extent to which doctors, nurses and paramedics in Australia were concerned about contracting SARS-CoV-2 during the country's first wave of the virus in April 2020. Australian registered doctors, nurses and paramedics (n=580) completed an online questionnaire during April 16-30, 2020 (period immediately following the highest four-week period (first wave) of SARS-CoV-2 confirmed cases in Australia). During April 2020, two-thirds of participants felt it was likely they would contract SARS-CoV-2 at work. Half the participants suggested Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) supplies were inadequate for them to safely perform their job, with two-thirds suggesting management advised them to alter normal PPE use. One-third of participants suggested they were dissatisfied with their employer's communication of COVID-19 related information. Conclusions and implications for public health: After reports of PPE shortages during Australia's first SARS-CoV-2 wave, and suggestions access to PPE was still limited during Australia's second wave five months later, we must forecast for this and future pandemics ensuring adequate access to PPE for frontline healthcare workers. Further, ensuring consistent and standardised pathways for communication to staff (acknowledging the reality that information may rapidly change) will help alleviate frustration and anxiety.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 16-02-2021
DOI: 10.1136/EMERMED-2019-209211
Abstract: Paramedics are at the forefront of emergency healthcare. Quick and careful decision making is required to effectively care for their patients however, excessive sleepiness has the potential to impact on clinical decision making. Studies investigating the effects of night shift work on sleepiness, cognitive function and clinical performance in the prehospital setting are limited. Here, we aimed to determine the extent to which sleepiness is experienced over the course of a simulation-based 13-hour night shift and how this impacts on clinical performance and reaction time. Twenty-four second year paramedic students undertook a 13-hour night shift simulation study in August 2017. The study consisted of 10 real-to-life clinical scenarios. Sleepiness, perceived workload and motivation were self-reported, and clinical performance graded for each scenario. Reaction time, visual attention and task switching were also evaluated following each block of two scenarios. The accuracy of participants’ clinical decision making declined significantly over the 13-hour night shift simulation. This was accompanied by an increase in sleepiness and a steady decline in motivation. Participants performed significantly better on the cognitive flexibility task across the duration of the simulated night shift and no changes were observed on the reaction time task. Perceived workload varied across the course of the night. Overall, increased sleepiness and decreased clinical decision making were noted towards the end of the 13-hour simulated night shift. It is unclear the extent to which these results are reflective of practising paramedics who have endured several years of night shift work, however, this could have serious implications for patient outcomes and warrants further investigation.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 05-2022
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2022-062313
Abstract: Emergency ambulance clinicians attend a wide range of prehospital emergencies, including out-of-hospital births (OOHBs). Intrapartum care comprises approximately 0.05% of emergency medical services’ caseload, with only ~10% of intrapartum cases progressing to birth in emergency ambulance clinician care. However, this low exposure rate potentially allows obstetric clinical skills and knowledge to decay, which may impact on patient care. Additionally, unplanned OOHBs are known to have a higher incidence of complications and adverse outcomes than their counterparts born in hospital, such as postpartum haemorrhage or hypothermia. This scoping review will explore OOHBs and associated complications in emergency ambulance clinician care, investigate birth parent, significant partner and clinician experiences regarding OOHBs, and consider barriers and challenges to optimal patient care, to identify future research opportunities and associated knowledge gaps for this patient cohort. This scoping review will follow the nine-step methodological framework suggested by the Joanna Briggs Institute and use the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews. Five electronic databases (MEDLINE via EBSCO, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science and Wiley Online) will be searched to identify articles for inclusion. The ‘participant, concept, context’ criteria will be used to identify suitable search words regarding OOHBs in emergency ambulance clinician care. The review will include peer-reviewed and preprint literature. Two reviewers will independently assess articles based on title and abstract for inclusion in the review. Data will be charted using a data extraction tool for consistency and provide a succinct descriptive summary of the results. This study does not require ethical review as all the information obtained will come from publicly available resources. Results will be disseminated via a peer-reviewed publication. This scoping review is preregistered with the Open Science Framework ( osf.io/ta35q ).
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 2018
Abstract: Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can be performed by any member of the public who witnesses a cardiac arrest and has the knowledge, training and skills to perform it. Even though bystander CPR has been shown to greatly improve the victim's chance of survival, its training and performance rates are alarmingly low. One potentially effective intervention to tackle this issue is to implement mandatory CPR training programs in high schools. We undertook in-depth qualitative interviews with 28 recent Australian high school graduates. The interviews were transcribed and then analysed, with participants’ answers used to draw conclusions on the acceptability of mandatory CPR high school training. Results suggested those that had undertaken basic first aid training in high school would be more open and confident to perform bystander CPR. Among those who had not undertaken training, cost and access were identified as the key barriers. Regardless of whether participants had or had not previously undertaken training, they understood the importance of CPR for the treatment of cardiac arrest victims. Among our s le, there was overwhelming support for the concept of mandatory CPR training being implemented in high schools. Should such a program be applied, there is the potential for this to have an impact on bystander CPR provision, and hence cardiac arrest survival rates, within the wider Australian community.
Publisher: AMPCo
Date: 11-05-2020
DOI: 10.5694/MJA2.50600
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 2019
DOI: 10.33151/AJP.16.666
Abstract: Internationally, emergency ambulance paramedic education has evolved from ‘on the job’ training by ambulance services to tertiary-level qualifications. However, across many countries and jurisdictions, clinical practicum requirements still differ substantially. For ex le, Australian paramedic students spend fewer hours on clinical practicum than their United Kingdom (UK) counterparts. Fifteen semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with Australian and UK paramedics and managers to identify their perceptions regarding the preparedness of graduate paramedics for practice. Interviewees in Australia and the UK identified that newly graduated paramedics require an internship period before independent practice. Interviewees in both jurisdictions recognised the robust theoretical knowledge and practical skills of graduates. Organisational operations, clinical judgement and decision-making, and care-pathway selection were areas where interviewees identified that an internship period consolidated the graduate's learning. This research found that increased time spent by paramedic students on ambulances did not increase a new graduate's ability to practice independently before an internship period. The time spent on ambulance practicums, objectives and supervisory model should be reviewed.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 31-10-2017
DOI: 10.1080/13561820.2017.1388221
Abstract: There is an increasing need to include interprofessional experiences in undergraduate health education. Simulation is one methodology revered as being able to facilitate interprofessional learning opportunities in a safe, structured environment. This project aimed to develop, trial and evaluate an interprofessional simulation role-play tutorial utilising DVD resources. In total, 70 speech pathology students and 76 occupational therapy students participated in a role-play involving DVD footage and documentation to facilitate assessment planning and analysis of assessment data for a child with autism. Questionnaires asked participants to rate their perceived experiences across 13 items using a 5-point Likert scale, as well as three open-ended questions. The results revealed positive reactions to the role-play and suggested that students felt that the learning objectives had been met. Many students expressed interest in engaging in further interprofessional learning experiences. Taken in conjunction with other similar studies, interprofessional simulation-based workshops using DVD footage may provide a manageable alternative to traditional interprofessional learning modalities, in particular when incorporating clients with complex and developmental disabilities.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 16-09-2023
Abstract: To investigate the Australian general public's perception of appropriate medical scenarios that warrants a call to an emergency ambulance. An online survey asked participants to identify the likely medical treatment pathway they would take for 17 hypothetical medical scenarios. The number and type of non‐emergency scenarios ( n = 8) participants incorrectly suggested were appropriate to place a call for an emergency ambulance were calculated. Participants included Australian residents (aged years) who had never worked as an Australian registered medical doctor, nurse or paramedic. From a s le of 5264 participants, 40% suggested calling an emergency ambulance for a woman in routine labour was appropriate. Other medical scenarios which were most suggested by participants to warrant an emergency ambulance call was ‘Lego in ear canal’ (11%), ‘Older person bruising’ (8%) and ‘Flu’ (7%). Women, people aged 56+ years, those without a university qualification, with lower household income and with lower emotional wellbeing were more likely to suggest calling an emergency ambulance was appropriate for non‐emergency scenarios. Although emergency healthcare system (EHS) capacity not increasing at the same rate as demand is the biggest contributor to EHS burden, non‐urgent medical situations for which other low‐acuity healthcare pathways may be appropriate does play a small role in adding to the overburdening of the EHS. This present study outlines a series of complaints and demographic characteristics that would benefit from targeted educational interventions that may aid in alleviating ambulance service attendances to low‐acuity callouts.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 17-11-2015
DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2015.1111311
Abstract: The "Shadow Rule" (SR) is a useful, immediate indicator of sunburn risk following the mnemonic "Short shadow? Seek shade!" However, some question people's ability to discern when their shadows are shorter or longer than them. N = 76 10-year-old children were taught the SR and then asked to estimate their sun-cast shadow length relative to their height and whether this meant they should seek shade. Children were then asked to estimate a doll's shadow length at 10 systematically randomised angles. Children experienced greatest difficulty judging their shadows' lengths when they were equal to their height. At all other angles, they demonstrated high accuracy and 92 % of the time on average could correctly interpret the SR. Ten-year-old children appear capable, and by extension adults too, of applying the SR. Future research is now required to establish if education about the SR will translate into sun protection behaviour change.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 13-05-2015
DOI: 10.1136/BMJSTEL-2015-000040
Abstract: A reported advantage of simulation-based learning environments (SLE) over clinical placements (CPs) is that the former can provide a greater number and breadth of opportunities to practice level-appropriate clinical skills compared with the random patient presentations provided during the latter. Although logical and widely accepted as fact, we find no published evidence to demonstrate the magnitude, nor indeed veracity, of this assumption. We therefore sought to quantify the clinical skills practiced by entry-level paramedicine students attending a well-selected CP compared with an equal dosage of SLE. N=37 first-year paramedicine students completed activity diaries during 3 days of CP and 3 days of SLE. Opportunities to practice clinical skills were quantified and coded as either: level-appropriate, beyond-level or of non-discipline relevance. During SLE, the average student was exposed 226 times to 11 level-appropriate clinical procedures. During CP the average student was exposed 48 times to 24 clinical procedures, the majority relevant to paramedicine (63%), but a minority level-appropriate (38%). Students’ opportunities for supervised, ‘hands on’ practice represented only 10% of exposures in either SLE or CP but in terms of raw numbers of level-appropriate opportunities, SLE provided more than CP (n=23 vs 2). Our results confirm that SLE provides substantially more opportunities than CP for students to practice level-appropriate skills and is therefore more appropriate for repetitive practice. However, CP is likely to remain useful to students for practicing interpersonal skills and contextualisation of knowledge within the broader health system. Educators should therefore carefully articulate learning objectives before choosing between SLE and CP.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.AMJ.2022.02.005
Abstract: Women with threatened preterm labor in remote Australia often require tocolysis in the prevention of in-flight birth during air medical retrieval. However, debate exists over the tocolytic choice. A retrospective analysis was undertaken on data containing women who required air medical retrieval for threatened preterm labor within Western Australia between the years 2013 and 2018. A total number of 236 air medical retrievals were deemed suitable for inclusion 141 received nifedipine, and 95 women received salbutamol + nifedipine. Tocolytic efficaciousness was reported in 151 cases, proportionally more (P < .05) from the women who received salbutamol + nifedipine (n = 68, 71.6%) compared with the women who received nifedipine only (n = 83, 58.9%). Those receiving salbutamol + nifedipine were more likely to suffer maternal tachycardia (n = 87 [91.6%] vs. n = 62 [44.0%]), fetal tachycardia (n = 26 [27.4%] vs. n = 13 [9.2%]), nausea (n = 17 [17.9] vs. n = 5 [3.55%]), and vomiting (n = 12 [12.6%] vs. n = 2 [1.4%]). Three women who received salbutamol + nifedipine had serious side effects including echocardiographic changes, chest pain, and metabolic and lactic acidosis. Salbutamol + nifedipine tocolysis was proven to be more effective than nifedipine only. Although salbutamol + nifedipine had increased temporary side effects, most were nonsevere and managed in-flight.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.NEDT.2016.06.006
Abstract: While numerous theoretical and conceptual models suggest social evaluation anxiety would likely influence performance in simulation-based learning environments, there has been surprisingly little research to investigate the extent to which this is true. Final-year Bachelor of Science (Nursing) students (N=70) were randomly assigned to complete one of three clinically identical simulation-based scenarios designed to elicit varying levels of social evaluation anxiety by manipulating the number of other people present with the student during the simulation (1, 2 or 3 others). Rises in acute stress were measured via continuous heart-rate and salivary cortisol. Performance scores were derived from the average of two independent raters' using a structured clinical checklist (/16). Statistically different increases were found within the first minute of the simulation between those students with one versus three other people in the room (+4.13 vs. +14.01beats-per-minute respectively, p=0.01) and salivary cortisol measures suggested significantly different changes in anxiety between these groups (-0.05 vs. +0.11μg/dL respectively, p=0.02). Independent assessments suggested students with only one other person accompanying them in the simulation significantly outperformed those accompanied by three others (12.95 vs. 10.67 respectively, p=0.03). Students accompanied by greater numbers during simulations experienced measurably greater anxiety and measurably poorer performances. These results demonstrate the ability to manipulate social evaluation anxiety within high-fidelity simulation training of undergraduates in order to help students better acclimatise to stressful events prior to practising in real clinical settings.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 2020
DOI: 10.33151/AJP.17.764
Abstract: Paramedics are exposed to significant and cumulative stressors that contribute to poor mental health. The provision of effective and engaging mental health support is essential in improving overall wellbeing. Many ambulance services have adapted their available support services to reflect this need. However, there remains limited research into the perceived efficacy of these services and barriers that limit uptake from paramedics. Paramedics and ambulance volunteers from Australia and New Zealand were invited to complete an online survey consisting of a series of Likert-scale and open-ended response questions. The well-validated Kessler Psychological Distress Scale was also incorporated into the online survey. A total of 184 participants completed the survey. A total of 50 (27%) participants reported high/very high levels of psychological distress. Participants exposed to at least one adverse event while working reported higher psychological distress scores than those that had not. Just over half (51%) of all participants disagreed/strongly disagreed there was no stigma associated with seeking mental health support from paramedic colleagues and 54% of participants disagreed/strongly disagreed there was no stigma from managerial staff. These findings suggest paramedics are at a greater risk of psychological distress than the general population. This is particularly problematic given there is a clear perception of ongoing stigma among paramedics associated with the utilisation of mental health support services. Future research should explore methods for reducing stigma and encouraging help-seeking behaviours in this vulnerable population throughout all phases of an emergency service workers career.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 30-03-2016
DOI: 10.1136/BMJSTEL-2015-000089
Abstract: Simulation-based education (SBE) literature is replete with student satisfaction and confidence measures to infer educational outcomes. This research aims to test how well students' satisfaction and confidence measures correlate with expert assessments of students' improvements in competence following SBE activities. N=85 paramedic students (mean age 23.7 years, SD=6.5 48.2% female) undertook a 3-day SBE workshop. Students' baseline competence was assessed via practical scenario simulation assessments (PSSAs) administered by expert paramedics and confidence via a questionnaire. Postworkshop competence and confidence plus self-reported students' satisfaction were remeasured. PSSA scores increased significantly between baseline and post workshop (35.7%→53.4%, p .001), as did students' confidence (55.7%→60.5%, p .001), and their workshop satisfaction was high (71.0%). Satisfaction and postworkshop confidence measures were moderately correlated (r=0.377, p=0.001). However, competence improvements were not significantly correlated with either satisfaction (r=−0.107 p=0.344) or change in confidence (r=−0.187 p=0.102). Students' self-reported satisfaction and confidence measures bore little relation to expert paramedics' judgements of their educational improvements. Satisfaction and confidence measures appear to be dubious indicators of SBE learning outcomes.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 10-2015
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 24-11-2010
DOI: 10.1080/15245004.2010.522765
Abstract: The objective of this case study was to experimentally manipulate the impact on arousal and recall of two characteristics frequently occurring in gruesome depictions of body parts in smoking cessation advertisements: the presence or absence of an external physical insult to the body part depicted whether or not the image contains a clear figure/ground demarcation. Three hundred participants (46% male, 54% female mean age 27.3 years, SD = 11.4) participated in a two-stage online study wherein they viewed and responded to a series of gruesome 4-s video images. Seventy-two video clips were created to provide a s le of images across the two conditions: physical insult versus no insult and clear figure/ground demarcation versus merged or no clear figure/ground demarcation. In stage one, participants viewed a randomly ordered series of 36 video clips and rated how “confronting” they considered each to be. Seven days later (stage two), to test recall of each video image, participants viewed all 72 clips and were asked to identify those they had seen previously. Images containing a physical insult were consistently rated more confronting and were remembered more accurately than images with no physical insult. Images with a clear figure/ground demarcation were rated as no more confronting but were consistently recalled with greater accuracy than those with unclear figure/ground demarcation. Makers of gruesome health warning television advertisements should incorporate some form of physical insult and use a clear figure/ground demarcation to maximize image recall and subsequent potential advertising effectiveness.
Start Date: 04-2014
End Date: 12-2017
Amount: $2,405,204.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
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