ORCID Profile
0000-0001-8668-712X
Current Organisations
Nanyang Technological University
,
University of Technology Sydney
,
Avondale University - Sydney Campus
Does something not look right? The information on this page has been harvested from data sources that may not be up to date. We continue to work with information providers to improve coverage and quality. To report an issue, use the Feedback Form.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 16-06-2014
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 16-09-2023
DOI: 10.1177/02692163221122289
Abstract: For informal carers of people with life-limiting illness, social welfare policy related to income support and housing has been associated with varied psychosocial issues, yet remains relatively under-explored. An intersectional approach offers potential to illuminate erse experiences and implications. To explore the way in which caring in the context of life-limiting illness is framed within welfare policy, to articulate inequities encountered by carers, and to identify policy and practice recommendations. The Intersectionality-Based Policy Analysis (IBPA) Framework was used to situate findings of a broader qualitative study. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews with participants who were bereaved carers ( n = 12), welfare workers ( n = 14) and palliative care workers ( n = 7), between November 2018 and April 2020, in an Australian region associated with socioeconomic disadvantage. Five elements of IBPA were applied to the products of analysis of this data. Use of the IBPA Framework revealed that representations of carers and causes of their welfare needs in policy were underpinned by several assumptions including that caring and grieving periods are temporary or brief, and that carers have adequate capacity to navigate complex systems. Policy and processes had differentiated consequences for carers, with those occupying certain social locations prone to accumulating disadvantage. This intersectional analysis establishes critical exploration of the framing and consequences of welfare policy for carers of people with life-limiting illness, presented in a novel conceptual model. Implications relate to intersectoral development of structural competency, responsiveness to structurally vulnerable carers in clinical practice, and needed policy changes.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2013
DOI: 10.1016/J.JPAINSYMMAN.2011.12.283
Abstract: Social relations and networks are vital for sustaining and enhancing end-of-life care. The social capital concept supports a framework to understand the association between social relations and well-being yet, to date, there has been very limited investigation of social capital in the palliative care literature. A framework for understanding social contexts in end-of-life care is necessary. To summarize the literature on social capital, well-being, and quality of life for key outcomes to inform a model of social capital in palliative care. The electronic databases MEDLINE (1997 to March 2011), Embase (1997 to March 2011), CINAHL (1997 to March 2011), and PsycINFO (1997 to March 2011) were searched using key/MeSH search terms of "social capital," "palliative care," and "well-being" and/or "quality of life." The literature was reviewed to identify key concepts to develop and inform a palliative care social capital framework. A total of 93 articles were included in the literature review, with only two articles identifying discourse on social capital and palliative care. Four key areas integrating the social capital outcomes informed a framework for palliative care. The social capital concept provides a structure for understanding how the organization and meaning of social contexts can potentially enhance or hinder end-of-life care. Research that identifies specificity in application of social capital concepts is fundamental to issues of access to services, sustaining levels of care, quality of life, and well-being. The importance of "bridged" social capital relations and networks for improved resource acquisition and information flow was identified in the literature and outlined within the palliative care social capital framework. Differential access to social capital by disadvantaged groups provides further impetus to engage a model of social capital for palliative care.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 08-09-2015
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 15-10-2015
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 27-03-2013
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 08-07-2016
Abstract: Anxiety is a serious affective mood disorder that affects many chronic heart failure patients. While there is le evidence that depression increases hospitalisations and mortality in chronic heart failure patients, it is unclear whether this association also exists for anxiety. The purpose of this study was to report on prospective cohort studies investigating anxiety in chronic heart failure patients and its association with hospitalisations and mortality rates. This systematic review aims to improve the current knowledge of anxiety as a potential prognostic predictor in chronic heart failure populations. This systematic review adheres to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Studies were identified by accessing electronic databases Embase, Medline, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature and PsycINFO. Studies were included if they: employed a prospective cohort study design, included chronic heart failure participants with a confirmed clinical diagnosis plus anxiety confirmed by a validated anxiety assessment tool and/or clinical diagnosis and reported longitudinal hospitalisation rates and mortality data in chronic heart failure. Six studies were identified for inclusion. A study investigating hospitalisations and mortality rates found a significant (p<0.05) association solely between hospitalisation and anxiety. Of four studies reporting on hospitalisations alone, only two reported significant associations with anxiety. One study reported rates of mortality alone and identified no significant associations between mortality and anxiety. There was some variation in quality of the studies in regards to their methodology, analysis and reported measures/outcomes, which may have affected the results reported. It is possible that anxiety does predict hospitalisations in chronic heart failure populations, however further research is required to confirm this observation.
Publisher: AIP Publishing
Date: 11-03-2019
DOI: 10.1063/1.5090956
Abstract: Focusing of ultrasonic waves in water plays an important role in various scenarios ranging from biomedical imaging to nondestructive testing. Acoustic metasurfaces have been largely explored for acoustic focusing, but they are generally narrowband and mainly implemented for airborne sound because of their structural complexity. Nevertheless, our previous development of metasurfaces provides a great opportunity to solve the challenges. Here, we present numerically and experimentally the broadband focusing of ultrasonic waves in water with a metasurface lens consisting of an array of deep-subwavelength sized and spaced slots. The slot widths of the metasurface are optimized based on microscopic coupled-wave theory. Due to the non-resonant arrangement, the focusing effect is demonstrated over a broad band of frequencies. The metasurface lens with simplicity and an ultra-compact size provides a feasible means for the design of thin and lightweight ultrasonic devices and is suitable for practical applications in biomedical and industrial fields.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 23-11-2012
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 18-04-2013
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.SOCSCIMED.2019.112599
Abstract: An emphasis on in idual intervention and psychological complexity has characterised research on bereavement following an experience of life-limiting illness. Exploration of "structural vulnerability" as a positionality produced by social and structural inequity could provide insights into areas of practice and policy in need of development. This scoping review sought to summarise published research on experiences of social and structural inequities in the context of bereavement due to life-limiting illness. Underpinned by recognised methodological frameworks, systematic searches were conducted of four electronic databases. Eligible studies attended to bereavement experience following the death of an adult due to life-limiting illness, included consideration of social and structural inequities, and were undertaken in high income countries between 1990 and 2018. Following thematic analysis, a conceptual framework was developed. Of 322 records, 62 full text articles were retrieved and 15 papers met inclusion criteria. Studies highlighted unequal social status in bereavement related to gender, class, sexuality, ethnicity and age, with structural inequity experienced in interactions with institutions and social networks. Studies also identified that the experience of bereavement itself may be accompanied by exposure to disenfranchising systems and processes. Structural vulnerability appeared to be associated with outcomes including psychological distress, social disenfranchisement and practical concerns such as financial strain, housing insecurity and employment issues. Social and structural inequities potentially contribute to layered and patterned experiences of disadvantage and disenfranchisement following expected death, with implications for in idual agency. Findings point to the need for consideration of socio-ecological approaches within and beyond specialist palliative care, involving development of more responsive social policy, coordinated advocacy, and systemic capacity building regarding experiences of grief, to better support populations positioned as structurally vulnerable in bereavement.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 25-10-2022
DOI: 10.1007/S10943-021-01446-9
Abstract: Chaplains are employed by ambulance services in many states across Australia as one element in a suite of initiatives to support the health and wellness of paramedics. The aim of this paper is to present key findings from a study that explored paramedic perspectives on the role and value of chaplains in the ambulance service. Seventeen paramedics participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using framework analysis. Two themes were identified: scope of the chaplain’s role and organisational factors influencing the chaplain’s role. Paramedics highly valued what they believed to be proactive and reactive support provided by ambulance chaplains, regardless of paramedics’ personal spiritual or religious beliefs.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2018
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 28-10-2021
Abstract: Caring at end-of-life is associated with financial burden, economic disadvantage, and psychosocial sequelae. Health and social welfare systems play a significant role in coordinating practical resources and support in this context. However, little is known about social policy and interactions with public institutions that shape experiences of informal carers with social welfare needs at end-of-life. To explore ways in which palliative care and welfare sector workers perceive and approach experiences and needs of the carers of people with life-limiting illnesses who receive government income support or housing assistance, in an area of recognised socioeconomic disadvantage. An interpretive descriptive study employed in-depth, qualitative interviews to explore participants’ reflections on working with carers of someone with a life-limiting illness. Data were analysed using the framework approach. Twenty-one workers employed within three public services in Western Sydney were recruited. Workers articulated understandings of welfare policy and its consequences for carers at end-of-life, including precariousness in relation to financial and housing circumstances. Identified resources and barriers to the navigation of social welfare needs by carers were categorised as personal, interpersonal and structural. Caring at end-of-life while navigating welfare needs was seen to be associated with precariousness by participants, particularly for carers positioned in vulnerable social locations. Findings highlighted experiences of burdensome system navigation, inconsistent processes and inequity. Further exploration of structural determinants of experience is needed, including aspects of palliative care and welfare practice and investment in inter-agency infrastructure for supporting carers at end-of-life.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 26-02-2018
DOI: 10.1080/01621424.2018.1438952
Abstract: The home care sector comprises one of Australia's fastest growing workforces, yet few papers capture the overall landscape of Australian home care. This integrative review investigates home care with the aim of better understanding care recipients and their needs, funding, and regulation care worker skills, tasks, demographics, employment conditions, and training needs. Over 2,700 pieces of literature were analyzed to inform this review. Results suggest sector fragmentation and a home care workforce who, although well-placed to improve outcomes for care recipients, are in need of better training and employment support. Suggestions for future research regarding Australian home care include studies that combine both aged and disability aspects of care, more research around care recipients, priority needs and strategies for addressing them, and how best to prepare home care workers for their roles.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 15-10-2023
DOI: 10.1111/JOCN.16893
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 08-02-2018
DOI: 10.1111/JOCN.14231
Abstract: To explore patient-centred nursing, compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue from intensive care nurses' perspectives. Compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue can influence critical care nurses' decisions to either continue or leave the profession, and could impact the compassionate patient-centred nursing care patients receive during their ICU admission. This qualitative research design was informed by Charmaz's Grounded Theory Constructivist methodology. In-depth interviews were conducted with 21 critical care nurses of two ICUs in Australia during 2016. Interview data were analysed using grounded theory processes. Findings reflected positive and negative impacts on critical care nurses' ability to deal compassionately with their patients. Effects on patient-centred nursing and critical care nurses' own well-being were revealed. A core category of "Expectations" emerged, explaining the tension between critical care nurses' biomedical, clinical skills and knowledge versus compassionate, patient-centred nursing care. This tension was clarified and expanded in subcategories of "Life in the Balance," "Passion and Pressure," "Understanding and Advocacy" and "Tenacity and Fragility". Providing patient-centred nursing may enhance critical care nurses' experience of compassion satisfaction, in turn impacting delivery of compassionate patient-centred nursing to generate a virtuous circle. Critical care nurses who feel respected and supported by their management team and colleagues experience feelings of compassion satisfaction, leading to greater engagement and care towards their patient. Systematically addressing critical care nurses' needs to successfully balance biomedical with compassionate nursing care may lead to greater well-being in the critical care nursing workforce and improve patient experience of intensive care.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 18-04-2015
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2017
Publisher: Foundation of Nursing Studies
Date: 13-05-2015
DOI: 10.19043/IPDJ.51.007
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 11-03-2021
DOI: 10.1111/HSC.13339
Publisher: American Physical Society (APS)
Date: 13-10-2021
Publisher: American Physical Society (APS)
Date: 12-09-2017
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 27-02-2020
DOI: 10.1111/NHS.12690
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 19-11-2023
DOI: 10.1007/S10943-022-01685-4
Abstract: Chaplains are embedded in several ambulance services across Australia, however as Australia’s religiosity is currently in decline and questions are being asked about retaining chaplains, little is actually known about their role and value within Ambulance services. The aim of this paper is to present the key findings from interviews with chaplains about their role and value of being ambulance chaplains. These findings are then compared with those of paramedics derived from an earlier phase of this study. Thirteen chaplains participated in semi-structured interviews, and data were analysed using framework analysis. The results indicated that ambulance chaplains provided paramedic-centred emotional and spiritual care through proactively and reactively supporting paramedics in their work. Chaplains saw value in their relational approach which facilitated trust and access, did not seek to ‘fix’ or diagnose but instead offered physical and emotional presence, and promoted supportive conversations. Chaplains and paramedics valued operationally trained and equipped ambulance chaplains who provided a relational, around the clock, ‘frontline’ staff support presence in paramedic workplaces, regardless of the paramedic’s personal religious/spiritual beliefs.
Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Date: 2022
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2017
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 19-09-2023
DOI: 10.1155/2023/4370884
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2011
DOI: 10.1016/J.JPAINSYMMAN.2010.10.265
Abstract: In iduals from low socioeconomic (SE) groups have less resources and poorer health outcomes. Understanding the nature of access to appropriate end-of-life care services for this group is important. To evaluate the literature in the developed world for barriers to access for low SE groups. Electronic databases searched in the review included MEDLINE (1996-2010), CINAHL (1996-2010), PsychINFO (2000-2010), Cochrane Library (2010), and EMBASE (1996-2010). Publications were searched for key terms "socioeconomic disadvantage," "socioeconomic," "poverty," "poor" paired with "end-of-life care," "palliative care," "dying," and "terminal Illness." Articles were analyzed using existing descriptions for dimensions of access to health services, which include availability, affordability, acceptability, and geographical access. A total of 67 articles were identified for the literature review. Literature describing end-of-life care and low SE status was limited. Findings from the review were summarized under the headings for dimensions of access. Low SE groups experience barriers to access in palliative care services. Identification and evaluation of interventions aimed at reducing this disparity is required.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 07-09-2017
DOI: 10.1111/JOCN.13957
Abstract: To systematically review the literature describing factors perceived by nurses as impacting the provision of patient-centred nursing in the intensive care unit. Patient-centred nursing in critical care differs from other healthcare areas, and the aggressive curative environment of the ICU has potential to compromise some of its elements. Understanding critical care, nurses' perceptions of promoting and deterrent factors may inform development of strategies to support effective patient-centred nursing and job satisfaction in this workforce. An integrative literature review. Whittemore and Knafl's method was used with "best-fit" framework synthesis. CINAHL, PsycINFO, Medline and EMBASE were searched for 2000-2016 literature using search terms drawn from the ICU patient-centred framework. In total, 3,079 papers were identified, with 23 retained after applying eligibility criteria. Five themes were identified: Nurse identity Organisation Communication Relationships and Ideology of ICU. Almost every theme and related categories referred to factors acting as barriers to patient-centred nursing in the ICU only four referred to supports/facilitators. Findings showed that provision of patient-centred nursing may be compromised by some factors of the critical care environment, and illustrate the challenges and complexity of providing effective patient-centred nursing in this environment. Findings should be applied to address barriers and to enhance facilitators of effective patient-centred nursing in critical care. The emotional and physical demands of critical care nursing are major considerations supporting these nurses to fulfil their challenging role may empower them in their professional quality of life and provide a basis for workforce retention as well as delivery of effective patient-centred nursing. Measures to enhance patient-centred nursing could promote critical care nurses' job satisfaction and workforce retention, and be applied more broadly and collaboratively to promote multidisciplinary patient-centred care.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 08-08-2017
Abstract: Globally, most care for people with life-limiting illnesses is provided by informal caregivers. Identifying characteristics of caregivers that may have unmet needs and negative outcomes can help provide better support to facilitate adjustment. We compared characteristics, expressed unmet needs and outcomes for spousal caregivers, with other caregivers at the end of life, by gender and age. The South Australian Health Omnibus is an annual, random, face-to-face, cross-sectional survey wherein respondents are asked about end-of-life care. Participants were aged over 15 years, resided in households in South Australia and had someone close to them die from a terminal illness in the last 5 years. Of the 1540 respondents who provided hands-on care for someone close at the end of life, 155 were widows/widowers. Bereaved spousal caregivers were more likely to be older, female, better educated, have lower incomes, less full-time work, English as second language, sought help with grief and provided more day-to-day care for longer periods. Spousal caregivers were less likely to be willing to take on caregiving again, less able to ‘move on’ with life and needed greater emotional support and information about illness and services. The only difference between widows and widowers was older age of spouse in women. Younger spousal caregivers perceived greater unmet emotional needs and were significantly less likely to be able to ‘move on’. Spousal caregivers are different from other caregivers, with more intense needs that are not fully met. These have implications for bereavement, health and social services.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2018
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 27-12-2013
DOI: 10.1093/BIOINFORMATICS/BTT757
Abstract: Motivation: High-throughput sequencing has been used to probe RNA structures, by treating RNAs with reagents that preferentially cleave or mark certain nucleotides according to their local structures, followed by sequencing of the resulting fragments. The data produced contain valuable information for studying various RNA properties. Results: We developed methods for statistically modeling these structure-probing data and extracting structural features from them. We show that the extracted features can be used to predict RNA ‘zipcodes’ in yeast, regions bound by the She complex in asymmetric localization. The prediction accuracy was better than using raw RNA probing data or sequence features. We further demonstrate the use of the extracted features in identifying binding sites of RNA binding proteins from whole-transcriptome global photoactivatable-ribonucleoside-enhanced cross-linking and immunopurification (gPAR-CLIP) data. Availability: The source code of our implemented methods is available at yiplab.cse.cuhk.edu.hk robrna/. Contact: kevinyip@cse.cuhk.edu.hk Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2013
DOI: 10.1016/J.JPAINSYMMAN.2013.01.005
Abstract: Older women commonly assume a caregiving role for their husbands at the end of life and are more vulnerable to poorer health, well-being, and social and economic challenges. The aim of this study was to ascertain older women's experiences of spousal caregiving at the end of life and the ways in which this experience impacts on the transition to widowhood. Longitudinal, in-depth, semistructured interviews were conducted with older women three times over a one-year period after the death of their husbands. This report focuses on the initial interviews that examined the transition from caregiving to widowhood. Transcripts were analyzed using interpretive phenomenological analysis methods. Participants were community-dwelling women older than 65 years who had recently been caregivers for their husbands who died within the past two years. Older women caregivers described their caregiver role as taxing, particularly in light of their own chronic conditions that they failed to prioritize and address. They did not ask for help in managing their roles and health problems, but quietly endured. Hence, they did not communicate their needs or strains explicitly. The degree of perceived adequacy of communication and interaction with health professionals were important factors impacting on their bereavement. It is imperative for health professionals to appreciate that older women caregivers may need more supportive interaction and information during the end-of-life caregiving, they may have expectations of communication, and they may deny or fail to focus on their own health issues. A patient/family/carer-centered approach could negate this oversight and improve the outcomes for these women as they transition into widowhood.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2019
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 06-07-2020
DOI: 10.1111/JOCN.15374
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 08-2017
DOI: 10.1111/JOCN.13470
Publisher: AIP Publishing
Date: 15-11-2016
DOI: 10.1063/1.4967790
Abstract: Ultrasonic guided waves are useful to assess the integrity of a structure from a remote location. Recently, tomography techniques have been developed to quantitatively estimate the thickness map of plate-like structures based on the dispersion characteristics of guided waves. In many applications only limited locations are available to place transducers. The missing viewing angles lead to artifacts which can degrade the image quality. To address this problem, this paper applies the regularization method to synthesize the missing components. The regularization technique is performed by an adaptive threshold approach to the limited view reconstruction. The effectiveness of this method combined with the full waveform inversion method is demonstrated by using numerical simulations as well as experiments on an irregularly shaped defect and two flat-bottom defects. The results indicate that the additional components obtained from the regularization method can significantly reduce the artifacts, leading to better reconstruction accuracy.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2016
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.AUCC.2017.10.003
Abstract: Compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue influence nurses' intention to stay or leave nursing. Identification of compassion satisfaction or fatigue in critical care nurses is important in this high turnover workforce. The aim of this study was to examine factors predicting and contributing to compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue experienced by critical care nurses in Australian intensive care units. A self-reported cross-sectional survey using an established tool collected data from critical care nurses of two adult Australian intensive care units. Overall, these critical care nurses reported what Professional Quality of Life Scale guidelines designated as 'average' levels of compassion satisfaction and burnout, and 'low' levels of Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS). Compared to Site B, nurses at Site A had significantly higher compassion satisfaction (p=0.008) and lower STS scores (p=0.025), with site significantly predictive for compassion satisfaction (p<0.024) and STS (p<0.002). Nurses with postgraduate qualifications had significantly higher compassion satisfaction scores (p=0.027), and compassion satisfaction significantly increased with increasing duration of practice (p=0.042) as a nurse and in their current ICU (p=0.038). Burnout scores significantly reduced with increasing age, years of tenure and practice burnout was predicted by lower years of tenure (p<0.016). These critical care nurses revealed profiles that, whilst not in crisis, fell short of the ideal high compassion satisfaction and moderate/low fatigue. More recent tenure flags those potentially at higher risk of compassion fatigue, whilst the better scores associated with postgraduate education and from one site need further exploration. Further research should develop understanding and interventions to enhance compassion satisfaction and support retention of this crucial nursing workforce.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 26-11-2021
DOI: 10.1177/10497323211046875
Abstract: Caring for and bereavement following the death of someone with a life-limiting illness may precipitate social welfare needs related to income support and housing. Nevertheless, carer experiences of welfare policy and institutions have not received significant attention. This qualitative study explored experiences of carers who navigated social welfare policy while caring for someone with a life-limiting illness, and in bereavement. In-depth interviews were conducted with 12 bereaved carers in an area associated with socioeconomic disadvantage. Carers differentially encountered precariousness, with some experiencing structural vulnerability. These positionalities appeared to be shaped by policy and process-related burdens, perceptions of the welfare state, and degrees of legitimisation or disenfranchisement of forms of capital and coping orientations. Recommendations that may improve carer experience were identified. Implications relate to the need for an expanded conceptualisation of vulnerability in health and welfare practice, policy that authentically validates caring and grieving, and upstream strategies that address inequity.
No related grants have been discovered for Joanne Lewis.