ORCID Profile
0000-0003-3130-638X
Current Organisations
University of Newcastle Australia
,
The University of Newcastle
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Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-2013
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 29-09-2016
Abstract: More than 10% of fathers experience depression and anxiety during the perinatal period, but paternal perinatal depression (PPND) and anxiety have received less attention than maternal perinatal mental health problems. Few mainstream treatment options are available for men with PPND and anxiety. The aim of this literature review was to summarize the current understanding of PPND and the treatment programs specifically designed for fathers with perinatal depression. Eight electronic databases were searched using a predefined strategy, and reference lists were also hand searched. PPND and anxiety were identified to have a negative impact on family relationships, as well as the health of mothers and children. Evidence suggests a lack of support and tailored treatment options for men having trouble adjusting to the transition to fatherhood. Of the limited options available, cognitive behavioral therapy, group work, and blended delivery programs, including e-support approaches appear to be most effective in helping fathers with perinatal depression and anxiety. The review findings have important implications for the understanding of PPND and anxiety. Future research is needed to address the adoption of father-inclusive and father-specific models of care to encourage fathers’ help-seeking behavior. Inclusion of male-specific requirements into support and treatment options can improve the ability of services to engage new fathers. Psychotherapeutic intervention could assist to address the cognitive differences and dissonance for men adjusting to the role of father, including male identity and role expectations.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.NEPR.2018.11.006
Abstract: Effective clinical practice supervision for health students is essential prior to commencing their respective professions. Students require adequate preparation before their clinical practice event with an experienced clinical supervisor able to impart professional 'know how' and skills to students. The purpose of this study was to describe final year health students' perspectives and experiences of clinical supervision, and to develop an interprofessional model of clinical supervision. Focus groups and semi-structured interviews were conducted with undergraduate health students across a range of disciplines. Some students provided email comments. Qualitative data was analysed thematically using NVivo (V11). Six key themes and their various sub-themes (refer Table 1) were identified: (1) undergraduate learning valued by the CP provider (2) effective connections (communications) between student, CS, CP provider and university (3) undergraduate student learning not being valued (4) ineffective connections (5) mitigating factors for students and (6) the impact of increasing student numbers. Undergraduate health student clinical placement requires careful educational preparation, structuring and adequate support for both the student undergoing the practice event and for the clinical supervisor stewarding the undergraduate health professional. A prospective plan to ensure an excellent experience is required (Fig. 1).
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2021
DOI: 10.1071/PY20118
Abstract: The limited capacity of secondary health services to address the increasing prevalence of dementia within the community draws attention to the need for an enhanced role for nurses working collaboratively with GPs in diagnosing and coordinating post-diagnostic care for patients with dementia. This study investigated the feasibility and acceptability of a nurse practitioner-led mobile memory clinic that was embedded within general practice and targeted to caring for patients and their carers in areas of socioeconomic disadvantage with poor access to specialist health services. Over the period from mid-2013 to mid-2014, 40 GPs referred 102 patients, with the nurse practitioner conducting assessments with 77 of these patients in their homes. Overall, there was a strong interest in this model of care by general practice staff, with the assessment and care provided by the nurse practitioner evaluated as highly acceptable by both patients and their carers. Nonetheless, there are financial and structural impediments to this model of care being implemented within the current Australian health service framework, necessitating further research investigating its cost-effectiveness and efficacy.
Publisher: The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
Date: 06-2022
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 06-2004
DOI: 10.1002/PON.751
Abstract: This study asks whether the experience of cancer motivates healthy behavior change. Further, we asked whether such changes relate to risk perceptions and worry, as suggested by Leventhal's Parallel Processing Model. Male (n=41) and female (n=40) survivors of colorectal cancer were interviewed 1-14 years after they first completed treatment. Younger age was associated with stronger risk perceptions, more worry, and greater anxiety. Shorter-term, compared to longer-term survivors, reported higher risk perceptions and more frequent intrusive thoughts. Greater perceived risk, worry and anxiety correlated positively with intentions to make positive health behavior changes. Overall, these survivors did not report exaggerated risk perceptions, and they were not overly worried or anxious about cancer recurrence. However, low-level risk perceptions, worry, and anxiety motivated interest in adopting protective health behaviors.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 27-01-2013
DOI: 10.1111/JAN.12083
Abstract: To describe the research protocol that will be used to investigate factors contributing to effective interprofessional practice in a rural context in Australia. Interprofessional practice is a key strategy for overcoming rural health challenges however, our knowledge of interprofessional initiatives and consequences in rural areas is limited. A modified realistic evaluation approach will be used to explore the structures, systems, and social processes contributing to effective interprofessional outcomes. This 'context-mechanism-outcome' approach provides a useful framework for identifying why and how interprofessional practice works in rural contexts. Initial propositions regarding the factors that explain effective collaborative practice will be generated through interviews with lead clinicians, policy-makers, and clinician managers. Clinician interviews, document analysis, and multi-participant focus groups will be used as evidence to support, refine, or redevelop the initial propositions. This will allow the development of a model of rural interprofessional practice that will explain how and why collaborative approaches work in rural environments. This study is funded by an Institute of Rural Clinical Services and Teaching grant (January 2010). Rural healthcare challenges are well documented however, studies investigating the nature of interprofessional practice in rural contexts are not common. Rural contexts also present research design, particularly data collection, challenges. This proposed research is one of the first to identify the factors that facilitate or constrain effective interprofessional work in rural settings. This is particularly important, given the continuing workforce shortages and maldistribution and poorer health outcomes in rural communities globally.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 21-03-2015
DOI: 10.1111/SCS.12129
Abstract: While interprofessional practice has been promoted as a solution to the challenges besetting rural health services, current evidence does not offer a clear explanation as to why it is effective in some domains and yet is not successful in others. At the same time, rural clinicians are frequently faced with major workforce pressures and this has a significant influence on professional practice. The aim of this study was to explore how these pressures impact on rural interprofessional practice. This study is part of a larger project investigating factors that enhance and detract from effective interprofessional working. We utilised a modified realistic evaluation approach to analyse the context, mechanisms and outcomes of rural interprofessional practice. Approval for this study was granted by an accredited research ethics committee. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 rural clinicians who were purposively recruited from a range of settings, roles, locations and professions. We found that clinicians often invested in interprofessional practice because of the need to manage intense workloads and this necessitated sharing of responsibilities across disciplines and blurring of role boundaries. Paradoxically, participants noted that workload pressures h ered interprofessional working if there were long-term skill shortages. Sharing workload and responsibility is an important motivator for rural practitioners to engage in interprofessional practice however, this driver is only effective under circumstances where there are sufficient resources to facilitate collaboration. In the context of intransient resource challenges, rural health service managers would be best to focus on enabling IPP through facilitating role understanding and respect between clinicians. This is most feasible via informal workplace learning and allowing time for teams to reflect on collaborative processes.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 18-05-2018
Abstract: The purpose of this article is to theoretically explore men’s preconception health as a mechanism to enhance fertility, as well as the health and well-being of the subject and his descendants. Premorbid risk factors and behaviors associated with stress, environmental toxins, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, lack of exercise/obesity, and the use of illicit drugs are all known to affect fecundity. While there are many health clinics available to women, where advice in areas such as postnatal care of the newborn, family planning, and couples fertility is provided, there are few, if any, equivalent health clinics available to men. Additionally, getting men to attend primary health-care services has also been continuously problematic, even in the context of there being a clearly discernible need for treatment. It is argued in this article that an impetus is required to encourage men to focus on and improve their preconception health and to utilize primary health-care services to take action. An assertive men’s preconception health outlook can positively influence the conjugal relationship, fathering, male self-esteem, and continued good health. Using the sometimes complex concept of preconception health as a motivating factor for healthy lifestyle adaptation has the potential to improve male fertility outcomes and general health and well-being, as well as the health of future generations.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2015
DOI: 10.1071/HI14035
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 02-2004
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 12-2007
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 08-07-2020
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-01-2020
DOI: 10.1111/INM.12662
Abstract: This integrative review aimed to identify and synthesize evidence on workplace stress and resilience in the Australian nursing workforce. A search of the published literature was conducted using EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINAHL (EBSCO), PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus. The search was limited to papers published in English from January 2008 to December 2018. The review integrated both qualitative and quantitative data into a single synthesis. Of the 41 papers that met the inclusion criteria, 65.85% (27/41) used quantitative data, 29.26% (12/41) used qualitative data, and 4.87% (2/41) used mixed methods. About 48.78% (20/41) of the papers addressed resilience issues, 46.34% (19/41) addressed workplace stress, and 4.87% (2/41) addressed both workplace stress and resilience. The synthesis indicated that nurses experience moderate to high levels of stress. Several in idual attributes and organizational resources are employed by nurses to manage workplace adversity. The in idual attributes include the use of work-life balance and organizing work as a mindful strategy, as well as self-reliance, passion and interest, positive thinking, and emotional intelligence as self-efficacy mechanisms. The organizational resources used to build resilience are support services (both formal and informal), leadership, and role modelling. The empirical studies on resilience largely address in idual attributes and organizational resources used to build resilience, with relatively few studies focusing on workplace interventions. Our review recommends that research attention be devoted to educational interventions to achieve sustainable improvements in the mental health and wellbeing of nurses.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2014
Publisher: Global Science and Technology Forum
Date: 30-11-2015
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 04-04-2023
Abstract: Increasing stress levels in the workplace is an economic and social issue for many industries, and coal mining is no exception. However, more recently mining coal has become an intense moral and ethical issue subjecting workers to psychosocial related stress . Previous research has demonstrated that resilience can help manage in idual stress to improve health outcomes and workplace productivity. This study examines data collected from 61 interviews with various workers in the coal industry in Australia throughout immense and stressful uncertainty. Drawing on the Job‐Demands‐Resource and the Transaction of Stress and Coping theories, we find that crucial elements of human resource management processes, supervision and the employee work unit may be modelled as either demands or resources. More significantly, we find that the in idual's subjective appraisal of job‐related demands and resources plays a significant role in enhancing or undermining their resilience . For theory, this study extends the Job‐Demands‐Resource model by challenging the prevailing assumption that job‐related attributes act as demands or resources in terms of their relationship with resilience for human resource management practice, the findings help focus on how particular strategies can best support and promote employee resilience.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 09-2013
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 2000
Abstract: To assess the course and severity of substance-related disorder (SRD) in relation to gender. Retrospective data on course were obtained for several indices of substance use, abuse, and related morbidity. Two university medical centers with alcohol-drug programs located in departments of psychiatry. A total of 642 patients were assessed, of whom 365 (57%) were men and 277 (43%) were women. Data on course included demographic characteristics, family history of substance abuse, lifetime use, age at first use, years of use, use in the last year, periods of abstinence, and current diagnosis. Data on severity included two measures of SRD-associated problems (one patient rated and one interviewer rated), substance abuse versus dependence, self-help activities, and previous treatment. Women were more apt to be homemakers to have a sibling or, if married, a spouse who abused substances to be less apt to have ever used hallucinogens or inhalants to have used substances for fewer years to have used cannabis and inhalants for fewer days in the last year to have a lower rate of current cannabis abuse/dependence to have fewer legal problems related to substances (especially driving while intoxicated [DWI] charges) to have fewer outpatient admissions to treatment to have fewer admissions to substance abuse treatment (all categories together), fewer lifetime days in treatment, and lower overall treatment cost (for all categories of treatment together). These data confirm earlier reports of a shorter course, less deviant drug usage, and--if married--a substance-abusing spouse. In addition, we found higher rates of familial substance abuse and lower rates of lifetime admissions, treatment days, and total cost of substance abuse treatment. Homemaking responsibilities, a substance-abusing spouse, a male-oriented treatment system, and/or a more rapid course may reduce substance abuse treatment for women.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 02-04-2019
No related grants have been discovered for Karen McNeil.