ORCID Profile
0000-0003-0442-8787
Current Organisation
Western Sydney Local Health District
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Publisher: Wiley
Date: 26-05-2021
DOI: 10.1002/HPJA.350
Abstract: We developed and evaluated a health literacy training program for allied health professionals, and explored the feasibility of a train‐the‐trainer model to support dissemination. The program combined didactic and experiential teaching methods and behaviour change techniques, with a focus on teach‐back and developing easy‐to‐understand written materials. Outcomes included participant reactions, confidence (range: 6‐30), behavioural intentions (range: 6‐42), and dissemination of training content. Implementation outcomes were evaluated using the Normalization MeAsure Development (NoMAD) tool, assessing the constructs of coherence (range: 4‐20), cognitive participation (range: 4‐20), collective action (range: 7‐35) and reflexive monitoring (range: 5‐25). Of the 29 allied health professionals who participated, 90% rated the program as ‘excellent’/‘very good’, and 97% said the information was ‘extremely’/‘very’ helpful for their everyday practice. We observed increases in confidence (mean difference [MD] = 6.3, standard deviation [SD] = 2.7, t 25 = 11.87, P .001) and intentions (MD = 3.6, SD = 8.1, t 23 = 2.2, P = .04) related to health literacy practices after 6 weeks. Improved confidence was retained over 6 months (MD = 7.1, SD = 5.2, t 18 = 5.96, P .001). After 6 months, 95% of participants (n = 19) reported using teach‐back and 50% (n = 10) reported having used a readability formula. Eight‐five per cent of participants (17/20) had trained others in health literacy, reaching n = 201 allied health professionals and students. NoMAD scores were highest in relation to cognitive participation (/20) (M = 18.2, SD = 2.1) and lowest in relation to collective action (/35) (M = 25.4, SD = 3.0). A train‐the‐trainer model appears to be a feasible method to disseminate health literacy training, but additional work may be needed to improve the collective work done to enable health literacy practices in real‐world clinical contexts. Staff training is particularly important in highly erse areas where patients are disproportionately affected by low health literacy.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 19-05-2023
DOI: 10.1111/AJCO.13786
Abstract: To understand the opinions and current practices of health professionals on the topic of addressing cancer‐related financial toxicity among patients. A cross‐sectional online survey was distributed through Australian clinical oncology professional organizations/networks. The multidisciplinary Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Financial Toxicity Working Group developed 25 questions relating to the frequency and comfort levels of patient–clinician discussions, opinions about their role, strategies used, and barriers to providing solutions for patients. Descriptive statistics were used and subgroup analyses were undertaken by occupational groups. Two hundred and seventy‐seven health professionals completed the survey. The majority were female ( n = 213, 77%), worked in public facilities (200, 72%), and treated patients with varied cancer types across all of Australia. Most participants agreed that it was appropriate in their clinical role to discuss financial concerns and 231 (88%) believed that these discussions were an important part of high‐quality care. However, 73 (28%) stated that they did not have the appropriate information on support services or resources to facilitate such conversations, differing by occupation group 7 (11%) social workers, 34 (44%) medical specialists, 18 (25%) nurses, and 14 (27%) of other occupations. Hindrances to discussing financial concerns were insufficient resources or support systems to refer to, followed by lack of time in a typical consultation. Health professionals in cancer care commonly address the financial concerns of their patients but attitudes differed across occupations about their role, and frustrations were raised about available solutions. Resources supporting financial‐related discussions for all health professionals are urgently needed to advance action in this field.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 31-01-2021
DOI: 10.1002/HPJA.456
Abstract: Low health literacy disproportionately affects adults from culturally and linguistically erse backgrounds. This study investigated the health literacy of adults attending outpatient allied health services in western Sydney, a highly erse region in Sydney with residents from a range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. A cross‐sectional survey was undertaken between March and April 2017 using the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ). Participants, aged over 18 years and with a primary language of English, Arabic, Chinese or Hindi, were recruited from outpatient allied health clinics at Westmead Hospital. Means (standard deviation) for each of the nine HLQ domains were calculated and associations with demographic variables were investigated using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Two hundred and thirty people were included with mean age of 45.1 years (SD = 19.0), the majority were female (75.5%), over half were born overseas (55.7%) and 77.6% reported speaking English at home. The highest mean score on a HLQ domain (out of 5) was “Understanding health information well enough to know what to do” (M = 4.19 SD = 0.67), and the lowest mean score (out of 4) was “Appraisal of health information” (M = 2.97 SD = 0.54). Participants who did not speak English at home had significantly lower scores on seven of the nine HLQ domains. Important health literacy strengths and limitations of a erse s le of adults attending outpatient allied health services in western Sydney were identified. Findings should be considered in the light of the cross‐sectional survey methodology with non‐random s ling. Data will inform future interventions to improve health literacy and health outcomes among vulnerable population groups in western Sydney.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 20-03-2022
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 20-10-2021
DOI: 10.1111/ECC.13348
No related grants have been discovered for Kim Hobbs.