ORCID Profile
0000-0002-9991-1255
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.
In Research Link Australia (RLA), "Research Topics" refer to ANZSRC FOR and SEO codes. These topics are either sourced from ANZSRC FOR and SEO codes listed in researchers' related grants or generated by a large language model (LLM) based on their publications.
Interactive Media | Dance | Film, Television and Digital Media |
Expanding Knowledge through Studies of the Creative Arts and Writing | Animation and Computer Generated Imagery Services
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 16-02-2010
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 12-2011
DOI: 10.4276/030802211X13232584581452
Abstract: Meaningful time use provides an indicator of quality of life and is a key area of interest to occupational therapists. Spinal cord injury is a prevalent and catastrophic acquired neurological impairment, which occurs most commonly in early adulthood. Spinal cord injury has been found to have little impact on life expectancy, but has a profound influence on productivity and participation. Understanding how people with spinal cord injury use their time is imperative if rehabilitation and quality of life outcomes are to be influenced. A systematic review was completed and relevant studies located. These studies were then rated to discern their level of evidence. A total of four published articles, from two studies, were found that fitted the inclusion criteria. All published studies were cross-sectional surveys. The level of evidence provided in these studies is relatively low. There has been limited research completed in the area of time use following spinal cord injury. There is a need for high quality evidence to inform occupational therapists about how people with spinal cord injury spend their time and how satisfied they are with the occupations in which they engage.
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 14-10-2022
Abstract: dverse drug reactions (ADRs) may cause serious injuries including death. Timely reporting of ADRs may play a significant role in patient safety however, underreporting exists. Enhancing the electronic communication of ADR information to regulators and between health care providers has the potential to reduce recurrent ADRs and improve patient safety. he main objectives were to explore the low rate of ADR reporting by community pharmacists (CPs) in Australia, evaluate the usability of an existing reporting system, and how this knowledge may influence the design of subsequent electronic ADR reporting systems. he study was carried out in 2 stages. Stage 1 involved qualitative semistructured interviews to identify CPs’ perceived barriers and facilitators to ADR reporting. Data were analyzed by thematic analysis, and identified themes were subsequently aligned to the task-technology fit (TTF) framework. The second stage involved a usability evaluation of a commercial web-based ADR reporting system. A structured interview protocol that combined virtual observation, think-aloud moderating techniques, retrospective questioning of the overall user experience, and a System Usability Scale (SUS). The field notes from the interviews were subjected to thematic analysis. n total, 12 CPs were interviewed in stage 1, and 7 CPs participated in stage 2. The interview findings show that CPs are willing to report ADRs but face barriers from environmental, organizational, and IT infrastructures. Increasing ADR awareness, improving workplace practices, and implementing user-focused electronic reporting systems were seen as facilitators of ADR reporting. User testing of an existing system resulted in above average usability (SUS 68.57) however, functional and user interpretation issues were identified. Design elements such as a drop-down menu, free-text entry, checkbox, and prefilled data fields were perceived to be extremely useful for navigating the system and facilitating ADR reporting. xisting reporting systems are not suited to report ADRs, or adapted to workflow, and are rarely used by CPs. Our study uncovered important contextual information for the design of future ADR reporting interventions. Based on our study, a multifaceted, theory-guided, user-centered, and best practice approach to design, implementation, and evaluation may be critical for the successful adoption of ADR reporting electronic interventions and patient safety. Future studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of theory-driven frameworks used in the design and implementation of ADR reporting systems.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 29-08-2019
Abstract: Incidence of non-traumatic spinal cord injury in Australia is increasing, which will result in more occupational therapists being involved in the rehabilitation of this group in the future. The profile of people with non-traumatic spinal cord injury differs from people with traumatically acquired spinal cord injuries, and their long-term health and well-being outcomes are not known. The aim of this study was to explore the experience of returning to social and community participation following non-traumatic spinal cord injury. Qualitative methods were used for this study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seventeen people with non-traumatic spinal cord injury who had returned home. Data were analysed inductively utilising the thematic analysis method. The process of returning to social and community participation following non-traumatic spinal cord injury was identified as occurring in three main stages: withdrawal re-emergence into society and stability. Each stage consisted of adjustment and adaptation in a number of areas, including: the loss of independence the experience of being out in public social networks participation in productivity roles and expectations regarding satisfactory social and community participation. Many of the participants had developed or were developing strategies to adapt to the changes experienced in these stages. By using a qualitative approach, this study adds to the understanding of the adjustment process experienced by people following non-traumatic spinal cord injury when they return to living in the community. Although findings parallel those of studies conducted with people with TSCI, there are some differences that may warrant alternative approaches from occupational therapists working with people with NTSCI. Such approaches include assisting people with NTSCI to modify their expectations regarding how they will participate in the community, assisting them to find new meaningful roles, and facilitating the development of new social networks to replace lost ones.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 2011
DOI: 10.3109/09638288.2010.520802
Abstract: The use of DVD stories about people with developmental disabilities within inter-professional education (IPE) across healthcare disciplines was evaluated. First year healthcare students (n = 241) from an IPE unit responded to an attitude scale before and after viewing and discussing a DVD portraying the life and healthcare needs of an adult with cerebral palsy a third round of data collection occurred later. Qualitative data were obtained from four first year and six second year tutors who discussed student reactions to the DVD. Six first year and four second year students participated in focus groups following viewing of a second DVD, about a young girl with developmental disabilities and complex health needs. ANOVA of the attitude scores did not show significant differences from pre- to post-viewing and discussion of the DVD, nor at a third round of data collection. Qualitative analysis revealed that the DVDs did cause students to shift assumptions, perceptions and understanding of the disabilities depicted, and to learn about their own and other professions. DVD scenarios of real people with developmental disabilities in real settings offer a means of providing IPE opportunities. The data also point to the need and directions for the development of a new attitudinal measure.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 20-12-2018
Abstract: Scientific conferences provide a forum for clinicians, educators, students and researchers to share research findings. To be selected to present at a scientific conference, authors must submit a short abstract which is then rated on its scientific quality and professional merit and is accepted or rejected based on these ratings. Previous research has indicated that inter-rater variability can have a substantial impact on abstract selection decisions. For their 2015 conference, the Occupational Therapy Australia National Conference introduced a system to identify and adjust for inter-rater variability in the abstract ranking and selection process. Ratings for 1340 abstracts submitted for the 2015 and 2017 conferences were analysed using many-faceted Rasch analysis to identify and adjust for inter-rater variability. Analyses of the construct validity of the abstract rating instrument and rater consistency were completed. To quantify the influence of inter-rater variability of abstract selection decisions, comparisons were made between decisions made using Rasch-calibrated measure scores and decisions that would have been made based purely on raw average scores derived from the abstract ratings. Construct validity and measurement properties of the abstract rating tool were good to excellent (item fit MnSq scores ranged from 0.8 to 1.2 item reliability index = 1.0). Most raters (24 of 27, 89%) were consistent in their use of the rating instrument. When comparing abstract allocations under the two conditions, 25% of abstracts (n = 341) would have been allocated differently if inter-rater variability was not accounted for. This study demonstrates that, even with a strong abstract rating instrument and a small rater pool, inter-rater variability still exerts a substantial influence on abstract selection decisions. It is recommended that all occupational therapy conferences internationally, and scientific conferences more generally, adopt systems to identify and adjust for the impact of inter-rater variability in abstract selection processes.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 04-11-2016
Abstract: One of the factors known to contribute to a 'good life' following an acquired disability is making connections with others, often achieved through participation in activities outside the home. The majority of outcomes research following SCI has focussed on impairments and activity limitations with less emphasis on participation. This paper reports part of a larger study that explored the experience and meaning of social and community participation following SCI. The research question guiding the part of the study reported in this paper was: What are the facilitators and barriers to social and community participation following acquired SCI? Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 adults with traumatically acquired spinal cord injury living in the community. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. Three main themes and 11 subthemes were identified. The main themes were: Resources and environmental accessibility impact social participation other people influence community engagement health issues affect social participation. Adequate financial resources and social support (from friends and family, and from peer mentors) were found to assist social participation, while the physical environment, unsupportive social attitudes and mental health issues were identified as barriers to community participation. This study contributes to the evidence base regarding outcomes following SCI. Enabling engagement in meaningful activities in the community must be at the forefront of occupational therapy intervention, both at an in idual client level and through advocacy and policy involvement, to improve the quality of life of people with SCI living in the community.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date: 23-05-2011
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 13-03-2019
DOI: 10.1111/JPPI.12287
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 08-2015
Abstract: Australia's National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides supports for in iduals, delivered through a personalised participant planning process, to influence choice and goal attainment. This study aimed to use both quantitative and qualitative methods to examine the impact of secondary health conditions on the experiences of people with spinal cord injury (SCI) who have returned to community living, in the context of Australia's National Disability Strategy and recently launched NDIS. Exploration of lived experience of health conditions following SCI utilising this mixed methods approach may offer important insights for effective planning within an NDIS. A cross-sectional survey using the Spinal Cord Injury Secondary Conditions Scale (SCISCS), demographic questionnaire and in-depth interview was undertaken with 33 people with SCI living in the community. Demographic and SCISCS data were reported using descriptive statistics. Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed and analysed thematically. Participants were on average 58.5 years of age and 20 years post-injury. Five key themes emerged relating to (i) spasm and pain (ii) sexual dysfunction (iii) pressure areas (iv) fatigue and (v) the impact of secondary health conditions on life role participation and choice of supports and equipment. Secondary health conditions can significantly impact occupational participation following SCI. Appropriate intervention, including customised equipment and direct support, if delivered as part of an effective NDIS, may prevent or reduce the severity of these conditions and offer the potential to influence health and participation outcomes of people who have returned to community living.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 20-06-2014
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 17-05-2018
DOI: 10.1080/17483107.2018.1471169
Abstract: Assistive technology (AT) is a powerful enabler of participation. The World Health Organization's Global Collaboration on Assistive Technology (GATE) programme is actively working towards access to assistive technology for all. Developed through collaborative work as a part of the Global Research, Innovation and Education on Assistive Technology (GREAT) Summit, this position paper provides a "state of the science" view of AT users, conceptualized as "People" within the set of GATE strategic "P"s. People are at the core of policy, products, personnel and provision. AT is an interface between the person and the life they would like to lead. People's preferences, perspectives and goals are fundamental to defining and determining the success of AT. Maximizing the impact of AT in enabling participation requires an in idualized and holistic understanding of the value and meaning of AT for the in idual, taking a universal model perspective, focusing on the person, in context, and then considering the condition and/or the technology. This paper aims to situate and emphasize people at the centre of AT systems: we highlight personal meanings and perspectives on AT use and consider the role of advocacy, empowerment and co-design in developing and driving AT processes.
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 03-04-2019
DOI: 10.2196/12531
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 24-02-2023
DOI: 10.2196/43529
Abstract: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) may cause serious injuries including death. Timely reporting of ADRs may play a significant role in patient safety however, underreporting exists. Enhancing the electronic communication of ADR information to regulators and between health care providers has the potential to reduce recurrent ADRs and improve patient safety. The main objectives were to explore the low rate of ADR reporting by community pharmacists (CPs) in Australia, evaluate the usability of an existing reporting system, and how this knowledge may influence the design of subsequent electronic ADR reporting systems. The study was carried out in 2 stages. Stage 1 involved qualitative semistructured interviews to identify CPs’ perceived barriers and facilitators to ADR reporting. Data were analyzed by thematic analysis, and identified themes were subsequently aligned to the task-technology fit (TTF) framework. The second stage involved a usability evaluation of a commercial web-based ADR reporting system. A structured interview protocol that combined virtual observation, think-aloud moderating techniques, retrospective questioning of the overall user experience, and a System Usability Scale (SUS). The field notes from the interviews were subjected to thematic analysis. In total, 12 CPs were interviewed in stage 1, and 7 CPs participated in stage 2. The interview findings show that CPs are willing to report ADRs but face barriers from environmental, organizational, and IT infrastructures. Increasing ADR awareness, improving workplace practices, and implementing user-focused electronic reporting systems were seen as facilitators of ADR reporting. User testing of an existing system resulted in above average usability (SUS 68.57) however, functional and user interpretation issues were identified. Design elements such as a drop-down menu, free-text entry, checkbox, and prefilled data fields were perceived to be extremely useful for navigating the system and facilitating ADR reporting. Existing reporting systems are not suited to report ADRs, or adapted to workflow, and are rarely used by CPs. Our study uncovered important contextual information for the design of future ADR reporting interventions. Based on our study, a multifaceted, theory-guided, user-centered, and best practice approach to design, implementation, and evaluation may be critical for the successful adoption of ADR reporting electronic interventions and patient safety. Future studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of theory-driven frameworks used in the design and implementation of ADR reporting systems.
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 13-05-2023
Abstract: dverse drug reactions (ADRs) are unintended and harmful events associated with medication use. Despite their significance in post-marketing surveillance, quality improvement, and drug safety research, ADRs are vastly underreported. Enhanced digital-based communication of ADR information to regulators and among care providers could significantly improve patient safety. his article presents a usability evaluation of the commercially available GuildCare Adverse Event Recording System, a web-based ADR reporting system widely used by community pharmacists (CPs) in Australia. structured interview protocol was developed, encompassing virtual observation, think-aloud moderating techniques, and retrospective questioning to gauge the overall user experience, complemented by the System Usability Scale (SUS) assessment. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse field notes from the interviews. total of 7 CPs participated in the study, who perceived the system to have above-average usability (SUS 68.57). Nonetheless, the structured approach to usability testing unveiled specific functional and user interpretation issues, such as unnecessary information, lack of system clarity, and redundant data fields—critical insights not captured by the SUS results. Design elements like drop-down menus, free-text entry, checkboxes, and pre-filled/auto-populated data fields were perceived useful for enhancing system navigation and facilitating ADR reporting. he user-centric design of technology solutions, like the one discussed herein, is crucial to meeting CPs' information needs and ensuring effective ADR reporting. Developers should adopt a structured approach to usability testing during the developmental phase to address identified issues comprehensively. Such a methodological approach may promote the adoption of ADR reporting systems by CPs and ultimately enhance patient safety. >
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 11-10-2022
DOI: 10.2196/40597
Abstract: Medication use can result in adverse drug reactions (ADRs) that cause increased morbidity and health care consumption for patients and could potentially be fatal. Timely reporting of ADRs to regulators may contribute to patient safety by facilitating information gathering on drug safety data. Currently, little is known about how community pharmacists (CPs) monitor, handle, and report ADRs in Australia. This study aimed to identify perceived barriers to and facilitators of ADR reporting by CPs in Australia and suggest digital interventions. A qualitative study with in idual interviews was conducted with CPs working across Victoria, Australia, between April 2022 and May 2022. A semistructured interview guide was used to identify perceived barriers to and facilitators of ADR reporting among CPs. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. We constructed themes from the CP-reported barriers and facilitators. The themes were subsequently aligned with the Task-Technology Fit framework. A total of 12 CPs were interviewed. Identified barriers were lack of knowledge of both the ADR reporting process and ADR reporting systems, time constraints, lack of financial incentives, lack of organizational support for ADR reporting, inadequate IT systems, and preference to refer consumers to physicians. The proposed facilitators of ADR reporting included enhancing CPs knowledge and awareness of ADRs, financial incentives for ADR reporting, workflow-integrated ADR reporting technology systems, feedback provision to CPs on the reported ADRs, and promoting consumer ADR reporting. Barriers to and facilitators of ADR reporting spanned both the task and technology aspects of the Task-Technology Fit model. Addressing the identified barriers to ADR reporting and providing workplace technologies that support ADR reporting may improve ADR reporting by CPs. Further investigations to observe ADR handling and reporting within community pharmacies can enhance patient safety by increasing ADR reporting by CPs.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 02-09-2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2011
DOI: 10.1016/J.RIDD.2010.09.022
Abstract: The Assessment of Children's Hand Skills (ACHS) is a new assessment tool that utilizes a naturalistic observational method to capture children's real-life hand skill performance when engaging in various types of activities. The ACHS also intends to be used with both typically developing children and those presenting with disabilities. The purpose of this study was to further investigate the construct validity of the ACHS using the Rasch analysis. Participants included 64 typically developing children and 70 children with disabilities in the age range of 2-12 years. Rasch analysis results confirmed the appropriateness of the ACHS's 6-level rating scale in this combined group of children. All 22 activity items and 19 of the 20 hand skill items in the ACHS formed a unidimensional scale and were ordered according to difficulty as clinically and developmentally expected. The ACHS also exhibited sufficient response validity and item-difficulty range when applied to children with disabilities as well as typically developing, preschool-age children. Furthermore, less than half of the ACHS items were found to exhibit differential item functioning with regard to gender (5 activity items) and disability (2 activity items and 7 hand skill items). Therefore, the ACHS shows preliminary evidence of construct validity for its clinical use in assessing children's hand skill performance in real-life contexts.
Publisher: Medical Journals Sweden AB
Date: 2011
Abstract: To investigate cross-cultural validity of a newly developed Assessment of Children's Hand Skills (ACHS) in children with and without disabilities. One group of 138 Australian children and 134 Taiwanese children, age range 2-12 years (a total of 149 typically developing children and 123 children with disabilities). Rasch model analysis was used to evaluate rating scale performance, person-fit, and item unidimensionality of pooled data from the ACHS. Rasch-based differential item functioning was used to evaluate differences in item difficulties between cultural groups. The appropriateness of the ACHS 6-level rating scale was confirmed in the pooled analysis. All 22 activity items and 19 of 20 hand skill items in the ACHS formed a unidimensional scale. The ACHS exhibited reasonable response patterns when applied to the composite s le of Australian and Taiwanese children. Differential item functioning was found in 7 activity items and 7 hand skill items. The ACHS can be used to assess and compare children's hand skills across Australian and Taiwanese cultural contexts with confidence. Adjustment for differential item functioning may be used when pooling or comparing ACHS data from these cultural groups.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 29-08-2012
DOI: 10.1111/J.1365-2214.2012.01429.X
Abstract: Children's hand skills when performing in real-life contexts have been commonly thought as a possible determinant of their self-care function however, there is a paucity of research investigating this potential predictive relationship. The purpose of this study was to provide evidence regarding whether children's real-life hand skill performance is contributive to or predictive of their self-care function by considering other child and cultural factors. A total of 139 typically developing children and 114 with disabilities, ages 2-12 years from Australia and Taiwan, participated in the study. The outcome measures used were the Assessment of Children's Hand Skills (a measure of real-life hand skill performance) and the Personal Living Skills subscale of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales - Classroom Edition (a measure of self-care function). Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that the children's demographic variables (age, gender, disability status, handedness and cultural context) accounted for 43% of the variance of the self-care function in the combined group of children with and without disabilities. Age, presence of disability and cultural context were the statistically significant independent factors. However, after the entry of the real-life hand skill performance factor, the contributing values of age and disability status decreased and the age factor became non-significant. The hand skill performance factor was found to be the strongest, and its addition led to significant increments of 24.6% of the explained variance for children's self-care function. Similar results were also found in the regression analyses based on separate groups of typically developing children or those with disabilities. The findings provide evidence that children's real-life hand skill performance is a contributing factor of their self-care function. The assessment of children's hand skill performance in real-life contexts is therefore needed.
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 28-06-2022
Abstract: pontaneous reporting of suspected Adverse drug reaction (ADR) is central to monitoring post-licensure medication safety. Underreporting by health professionals is highly prevalent across the world. Little is known about how community pharmacists (CPs) recognises and report to surveillance systems in Australia. xplore the perceptions of CPs towards pharmacovigilance (PV) and identify factors associated with ADR reporting to help inform future interventions designed to improve ADR underreporting. qualitative study with in idual interviews was conducted with 12 CP’s working across Victoria, Australia between April 2022 and May 2022. A semi-structured interview guide was used to identify experienced barriers and facilitators to ADR reporting. Data was analysed following thematic analysis. Themes within barriers and facilitators were aligned with the Task-Technology Fit (TTF) framework. ack of knowledge was a key driver in low awareness to PV or reporting systems and work environment/ resources were key drivers in the lack of time to report by CPs in Australia. To facilitate the ADR reporting process, multifaceted digital reporting systems should be developed within the pharmacist workflow, utilising auto-population features with integrated ADR report feedback systems. n contrast to previous studies and prior interventions that attempted to address ADR underreporting, we theorise that it is not the end-users (CPs) that need behavioural change through more enticements or enforcement, but rather that the work practices and technologies that support their work need to be altered. Understanding the nature of “lack of time to report” may serve useful to design more targeted interventions strategies, the first relating to the organisational/workplace structure and the later, operational/ IT infrastructure. Implementing new digital technologies such as mobile apps and artificial intelligence supporting both active and passive surveillance present as opportunity to empower consumer reporting and reducing CPs workload.
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 29-09-2023
DOI: 10.2196/48976
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 09-2016
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 03-2015
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 03-2012
DOI: 10.1111/J.1440-1630.2012.00997.X
Abstract: The Assessment of Children's Hand Skills is a new assessment that utilises a naturalistic observational method to capture children's real-life hand skill performance when engaged at various types of daily activities in everyday living contexts. The Assessment of Children's Hand Skills is designed for use with 2- to 12-year-old children with a range of disabilities or health conditions. The study aimed to investigate construct validity of the Assessment of Children's Hand Skills in Australian children. Rasch analysis was used to examine internal construct validity of the Assessment of Children's Hand Skills in a mixed s le of 53 children with disabilities (including autism spectrum disorder, developmental/genetic disorders and physical disabilities) and 85 typically developing children. External construct validity was examined by correlating with three questionnaires evaluating daily living skills and hand skills. Rasch goodness-of-fit analysis suggested that all 22 activity items and 19 of 20 hand skill items in the Assessment of Children's Hand Skills measured a single construct. The Assessment of Children's Hand Skills items were placed in a clinically meaningful hierarchy from easy to hard, and the difficulty range of the items also matched the majority of children with disabilities and typically developing preschool-aged children. Moderate to high correlations (0.59 ≤ Spearman's ρ coefficients ≤ 0.89, P < 0.01) were found with the assessments of daily living and fine motor skills. This study provided preliminary evidence supporting the construct validity of the Assessment of Children's Hand Skills for its clinical application in assessing children's real-life hand skill performance in Australian contexts.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 02-2019
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 12-2011
DOI: 10.1016/J.HKJOT.2011.10.003
Abstract: This study sought to investigate the convergent and discriminant validity of a new naturalistic observational Assessment of Children's Hand Skills (ACHS) in children with and without disabilities. The participants were 134 children aged 2–-12 years in Taiwan, and 70 had known disabilities. Outcome measures included the ACHS, one daily living skills questionnaire, and three instruments related to hand skills. Discriminant validity was assessed by comparing the ACHS scores between children with and without disabilities. Convergent validity was examined using a correlation analysis between the ACHS and daily living and hand skills measures. Children with disabilities had significantly lower ACHS scores than typically developing children. The ACHS correlated moderately to highly with the daily living skills questionnaire and demonstrated a varied range of correlations with the three related instruments. Preliminary evidence for the convergent and discriminant validity of the ACHS was established. The findings indicate that the ACHS can be used with confidence in measuring and differentiating children's hand skill performance in real-life contexts.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 10-04-2020
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 12-10-2009
DOI: 10.1111/J.1365-2214.2009.01002.X
Abstract: BACKGROUND Hand skill development or mastery has a huge influence on children's early development and participation in everyday activities. Assessment of difficulties with children's hand skills typically involves a systematic process considering all potential factors that may impact on hand skills. This helps identify key hand skill difficulties and select specific interventions that are relevant to the in idual child. This paper describes the development of the Children's Hand Skills Framework (CHSF) that can be used as a conceptual guide to analyse and describe children's hand skills in the assessment and intervention process. A comprehensive literature review of the existing hand skill models and instruments was conducted to develop the CHSF content, and experts' reviews via an evaluation feedback questionnaire were used as a means to validate the CHSF. The literature review revealed that the functional repertoire of children's hand skills can be ided into six distinct categories. Manual gesture and body contact hand skills are two categories, in which the hands do not make contact with any object. Arm-hand use, adaptive skilled hand use and bimanual use are object-related hand skill categories where the hands do contact objects. The final category is related to the general quality of children's hand skills. Each of the six hand skill categories can be further broken down into three to seven subcategories. The feedback from the experts further demonstrated high levels of agreement for the inclusion of the CHSF subcategories. The CHSF offers a helpful guide to comprehensively describe the complexity of children's hand skills in the assessment process and has the potential to enhance and promote communication about functional use of children's hand skills among professionals. The CHSF is also conceptually compatible with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health, providing a holistic consideration of both children's hand skills and relevant International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health factors for further assessment and intervention planning.
Publisher: American Physiological Society
Date: 02-2021
DOI: 10.1152/AJPHEART.00807.2020
Abstract: Adults with intellectual disability experience higher risk of premature death than the general population. Our investigation highlights increased cardiovascular risk markers and autonomic dysfunction in young adults with intellectual disability compared with control adults. Autonomic dysfunction was more marked in those with a more severe disability but independent of cardiovascular parameters. Assessment of autonomic nervous system (ANS) function may provide insight into the mechanisms of cardiometabolic disease development and progression in young adults with intellectual disability.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 22-12-2014
DOI: 10.1111/JAR.12135
Abstract: Despite awareness of the health inequalities experienced by people with intellectual disability, their health status remains poor. Inequalities in health outcomes are manifest in higher morbidity and rates of premature death. Contributing factors include the barriers encountered in accessing and receiving high-quality health care. This paper outlines health inequalities experienced by people with intellectual disability and focuses on the opportunities medical education provides to address these. Strategies to ensure that health professional education is inclusive of and relevant to people with disabilities are highlighted. The barriers experienced by people with intellectual disabilities to the receipt of high-quality health care include the attitudes, knowledge and skills of doctors. Improving medical education to ensure doctors are better equipped is one strategy to address these barriers. Improving health enhances quality of life, enables engagement and optimizes opportunities to participate in and contribute to the social and economic life of communities. People with intellectual disabilities sometimes find it difficult to get the healthcare they need to stay well. Teaching student doctors about what people with disabilities want and need can help these students become better doctors. Good doctors help people get well and stay healthy and active. When people feel well they can enjoy their lives and join in activities in their community. This article talks about some of the things doctors need to learn, and some ways to teach them. People with disabilities have a very important role in teaching student doctors.
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 16-01-2023
DOI: 10.2196/40080
Abstract: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are unintended consequences of medication use and may result in hospitalizations or deaths. Timely reporting of ADRs to regulators is essential for drug monitoring, research, and maintaining patient safety, but it has not been standardized in Australia. We sought to explore the ways that ADRs are monitored or reported in Australia. We reviewed how consumers and health care professionals participate in ADR monitoring and reporting. The Arksey and O’Malley framework provided a methodology to sort the data according to key themes and issues. Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, PubMed, CINAHL, and Computer & Applied Sciences Complete databases were used to extract articles published from 2010 to 2021. Two reviewers screened the papers for eligibility, extracted key data, and provided descriptive analysis of the data. Seven articles met the inclusion criteria. The Adverse Medicine Events Line (telephone reporting service) was introduced in 2003 to support consumer reporting of ADRs however, only 10.4% of consumers were aware of ADR reporting schemes. Consumers who experience side effects were more likely to report ADRs to their doctors or pharmacists than to the drug manufacturer. The documentation of ADR reports in hospital electronic health records showed that nurses and pharmacists were significantly less likely than doctors to omit the description of the drug reaction, and pharmacists were significantly more likely to enter the correct classification of the drug reaction than doctors. Review and analysis of all ADR reports submitted to the Therapeutic Goods Administration highlighted a decline in physician contribution from 28% of ADR reporting in 2003 to 4% in 2016 however, within this same time period, hospital and community pharmacists were a major source of ADR reporting (ie, 16%). In 2014, there was an increase in ADR reporting by community pharmacists following the introduction of the GuildLink ADR web-based reporting system however, a year later, the reporting levels dropped. In 2018, the Therapeutic Goods Administration introduced a black triangle scheme on the packaging of newly approved medicines, to remind and encourage ADR reporting on new medicines, but this was only marginally successful at increasing the quantity of ADR reports. Despite the existence of national and international guidelines for ADR reporting and management, there is substantial interinstitutional variability in the standards of ADR reporting among in idual health care facilities. There is room for increased ADR reporting rates among consumers and health care professionals. A thorough assessment of the barriers and enablers to ADR reporting at the primary health care institutional levels is essential. Interventions to increase ADR reporting, for ex le, the black triangle scheme (alert or awareness) or GuildLink (digital health), have only had marginal effects and may benefit from further improvement revisions and awareness programs.
Publisher: AOTA Press
Date: 09-2010
Abstract: OBJECTIVE. We developed the Assessment of Children’s Hand Skills (ACHS) to evaluate hand skills using naturalistic observation and examined the assessment's interrater and test–retest reliability. METHOD. We developed the hand skill framework, performed expert review, and pilot tested the ACHS. The ACHS's reliability was examined by recruiting 54 children (30 typically developing children and 24 children with disabilities). RESULTS. The test–retest reliability for the ACHS was satisfactory at the in idual item level (0.42 ≤ κ ≤ 0.79) and the total scale level (Spearman’s ρ = 0.78, p & .01). Moderate interrater agreement of the total scale scores was demonstrated (ρ = 0.63, p & .01), but in idual items exhibited varied interrater agreement. CONCLUSION. The ACHS demonstrated adequate content validity and preliminary reliability evidence and could be used to quantify children’s hand skill use. Construct validity should be established in a clinical setting.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 18-01-2016
DOI: 10.1007/S10459-015-9663-4
Abstract: Practice based interprofessional education opportunities are proposed as a mechanism for health professionals to learn teamwork skills and gain an understanding of the roles of others. Primary care is an area of practice that offers a promising option for interprofessional student learning. In this study, we investigated what and how students from differing professions learn together. Our findings inform the design of future interprofessional education initiatives. Using activity theory, we conducted an ethnographic investigation of interprofessional education in primary care. During a 5 months period, we observed 14 clinic sessions involving mixed discipline student teams who interviewed people with chronic disease. Teams were comprised of senior medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy and physiotherapy entry level students. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with seven clinical educators. Data were analysed to ascertain the objectives, tools, rules and ision of labour. Two integrated activity systems were identified: (1) student teams gathering information to determine patients' health care needs and (2) patients either as health consumers or student educators. Unwritten rules regarding 'shared contribution', 'patient as key information source' and 'time constraints' were identified. Both the significance of software literacy on team leadership, and a pre-determined structure of enquiry, highlighted the importance of careful consideration of the tools used in interprofessional education, and the way they can influence practice. The systems of practice identified provide evidence of differing priorities and values, and multiple perspectives of how to manage health. The work reinforced the value of the patients' voice in clinical and education processes.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 08-07-2021
DOI: 10.1186/S13063-021-05379-2
Abstract: High blood pressure is an independent risk factor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is a major cause of disability and death. Managing a healthy lifestyle has been shown to reduce blood pressure and improve health outcomes. We aim to investigate the effectiveness of a lifestyle modification intervention program for lowering blood pressure in a rural area of Bangladesh. A single-center cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT). The study will be conducted for 6 months, a total of 300 participants of age 30 to 75 years with 150 adults in each of the intervention and the control arms. The intervention arm will involve the delivery of a blended learning education program on lifestyle changes for the management of high blood pressure. The education program comprises evidence-based information with pictures, fact sheets, and published literature about the effects of high blood pressure on CVD development, increased physical activity, and the role of a healthy diet in blood pressure management. The control group involves providing information booklets and general advice at the baseline data collection point. The primary outcome will be the absolute difference in clinic SBP and DBP. Secondary outcomes include the difference in the percentage of people adopting regular exercise habits, cessation of smoking and reducing sodium chloride intake, health literacy of all participants, and the perceived barriers and enablers to adopt behavior changes by collecting qualitative data. Analyses will include analysis of covariance to report the mean difference in blood pressure between the control and the intervention group and the difference in change in blood pressure due to the intervention. The study will assess the effects of physical activity and lifestyle modification in controlling high blood pressure. This study will develop new evidence as to whether a simple lifestyle program implemented in a rural region of a low- and middle-income country will improve blood pressure parameters for people with different chronic diseases by engaging community people. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04505150 . Registered on 7 August 2020
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 05-06-2022
Abstract: edications aim to relieve suffering & ailment, but they can be associated with adverse side effects or adverse drug reactions (ADRs). ADRs are a major cause of hospital admissions and cause a significant strain on healthcare funding in Australia and Globally. There is little integrative and collective knowledge on ADR reporting and monitoring in the Australian healthcare system. his review aims to investigate the current trends in ADR reporting, monitoring, and handling in the Australian healthcare system and describe related interventions. comprehensive search of appropriate keywords, regarding ADRs was used to search 6 electronic databases to retrieve peer-reviewed scientific articles published from 2010 to 2021. Only articles with a precise focus on ADRs in the Australian medicine’s management context were included. even articles met the inclusion criteria. The findings offer a comprehensive picture of ADR reporting and monitoring in the Australian healthcare system. The current ADR systems were compiled with the involvement of both consumer/ patients and healthcare providers to record or report all types of ADRs of various severities and aimed at improving ADR monitoring and reporting. The major barrier to consumer atients’ participation is awareness to reporting mechanisms. Consumers are also more likely to report ADRs to their doctor or pharmacists. Documentation of opioid and penicillin ADR reports in hospital electronic health records shows nurses and pharmacists to be significantly less likely than doctors to omit the reaction description and pharmacists significantly more likely to enter the correct classification than doctors. here is a need to (1) improve the current initiatives on public awareness to ADR reporting and the provision of report feedback to enhance interdisciplinary collaboration (2) implement digital solutions to support consumer atients reporting and empower healthcare providers to electronically capture and report ADRs within their clinical workflow (3) undertake studies to understand ADR management at the primary healthcare institutional level (4) develop and validate frameworks to evaluate novel technological solutions designed to facilitate pharmacovigilance and improve the safety of medicines management in Australia.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 27-12-2016
Abstract: Australia's National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is designed to influence home, social and economic participation for Scheme participants. Given the major disability reform underway, this pilot study aimed to: (i) examine community integration outcomes of people with spinal cord injury (SCI) (ii) compare findings with multiple matched controls and (iii) consider findings within the context of Australia's NDIS. Setting: Victoria, Australia. Matched analysis (people with and without SCI). Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ). n = 40 adults with SCI (M age = 52.8 years 61% male 77% traumatic SCI). Matched analyses from each SCI subject aged <70 years (n = 31) with four CIQ normative data subjects (from n = 1927) was undertaken, with key demographic variables matched (age range, gender, living location and living situation). Risk of low CIQ score as a function of SCI was also examined using conditional Poisson regression. With key demographic variables held constant, small to medium effect sizes were found in favour of the normative s le, with statistically significant differences in home (ρ = 0.003) and productivity integration (ρ = 0.02). Relative risk of low home integration was significant in the SCI cohort (conditional RR (95% CI) = 3.1 (1.5-6.3), ρ = 0.001). Relative risk of low CIQ total, social integration and productivity scores did not reach significance. This cohort of SCI participants was less integrated into home and productive occupations than matched norms, holding implications for planning and allocation of supports to influence outcomes within an NDIS. Further research is necessary to understand community integration outcomes in larger matched s les.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 18-07-2017
Abstract: The number of people with non-traumatic spinal cord injury is rising in developed countries such as Australia and Great Britain. People with non-traumatic spinal cord have different gender, injury and age-related profiles compared to those with traumatically acquired spinal cord injury therefore, their lived experience is likely to be different. However, the specific issues and challenges that this group faces have not been well investigated. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 17 adults with non-traumatic spinal cord injury. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. The factors that influenced the social and community participation of people with non-traumatic spinal cord injury were grouped into three broad areas: person factors, factors in the physical and institutional environment, and factors in the social or cultural environment. The findings from this study inform the understanding of occupational therapists regarding the social and community participation of people with non-traumatic spinal cord injury and how this can be facilitated. Assisting people with non-traumatic spinal cord injury to participate in meaningful social and community-based activities is important to maximise their quality of life.
No related organisations have been discovered for Rachael McDonald.
Start Date: 12-2022
End Date: 12-2025
Amount: $464,000.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded Activity