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Australian Study (australian + study)
Selected AbstractsFactors affecting writing achievement: mapping teacher beliefsENGLISH IN EDUCATION, Issue 1 2004Claire Wyatt-Smith Abstract The intersection of teacher beliefs with writing achievement in schooling is a key concern of this paper. The paper reports part of a two-year Australian study that set out to examine in detail how it is that teachers judge Year 5 students' literacy achievement using writing as the case instance. In what follows, we examine the data in the form of concept maps that the teachers them selves made available showing their beliefs about, and insights into the factors that affect student writing achievement. Drawing on these maps, we highlight the range of teacher-identified factors, including those relating to in-class behaviour, motivation, attitudes to school learning, social and cultural backgrounds, oracy and even life circumstances. Additionally, we address how the identified factors function, operating either as standalone elements or within a dynamic network of inter-relationships. [source] Special considerations for haematology patients in relation to end-of-life care: Australian findingsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER CARE, Issue 2 2007P. MCGRATH bsocwk, senior research fellow Recent haematology clinical guidelines recommend that palliative care specialists should have central roles in haemato-oncology teams. However, the available research evidence indicates there are presently significant obstacles to the integration of palliative care in haematology. The following discussion presents findings from an Australian study designed to address the problems associated with lack of referral of haematology patients to the palliative system through the development of a best-practice model for end-of-life care for these diagnostic groups. The preliminary step in the development of such a model is to document the factors that denote the special characteristics of the end-of-life stage of haematological conditions and their treatments. This article presents the list of special considerations from a nursing perspective, including issues associated with the high-tech nature of treatments, the speed of change to a terminal event, the need for blood products and possibility of catastrophic bleeds, the therapeutic optimism based on a myriad of treatment options and the clinical indices of the terminal trajectory. The nursing insights provide an important foundation for building a practical, patient-centred model for terminal care in haematology. [source] From retirement village to residential aged care: what older people and their families sayHEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY, Issue 1 2007Julianne Cheek PhD BEd DipT Abstract The majority of older Australians, some of whom live in retirement villages, wish to remain living in their own home, receiving care in the community when their health and/or other circumstances change. Current statistics show that 3.7% of people aged 65 years and over live in a retirement village in Australia. However, residential aged care will still be required for some highly dependent members of the older population. This qualitative Australian study examined the transition into residential care from one form of community housing, the retirement village. In-depth interviews with 33 older people and 48 family members were conducted to illuminate the key issues and factors which influence the move of older people from retirement villages to residential aged care. Analysis of the data revealed the move to be influenced by: health-related crises; the creation of doubt as to ability to cope in the retirement village; the need for more or different care or support services; the desire for independence; assumptions about being able to move into the residential aged care facility co-located with the retirement village; availability of a place; navigating the system; and desirable aspects of a residential aged care facility. The findings of the study provide a description of the transition process from the perspectives of those directly affected, and contribute to the development of best practice in the provision of support to residents living in retirement villages and the community in general. [source] Consumer participation: Ensuring suicide postvention research counts for end usersINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING PRACTICE, Issue 1 2010Anne Wilson PhD RN BN MN Wilson A. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2010; 16: 7,13 Consumer participation: Ensuring suicide postvention research counts for end users Primary health-care research is about working with those who have a vested interest in the outcomes of that research, including consumers, service providers and service organizations. This article describes how consumers were included in the research processes of a South Australian study into suicide postvention services, and illustrates important principles to consider when including consumers in research. A concurrent mixed-method approach facilitated the collection of mixed data through the application of questionnaires. The study was conducted in an Australian metropolitan area. Because of media releases, a large number of people rang to enquire and volunteer their participation. From over 200 expressions of interest, 161 individuals participated. The participation of consumers in the research process ensured the findings were relevant for end users. A number of recommendations for the care and support of those bereaved through suicide were developed as a result. [source] The communication challenges faced in adopting a palliative care approach in advanced dementiaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING PRACTICE, Issue 5 2009Amanda Johnson RN DipT(Ng) MHScEd This paper discusses one aspect from the findings of an Australian study aimed at understanding the needs of people with advanced dementia. Specifically, this paper focuses on the communication issues that might potentially inhibit the implementation of a palliative care approach for a person with advanced dementia in a residential aged care facility (RACF). Six focus groups consisting of 34 participants and 24 semistructured interviews were conducted. Participants were drawn from palliative care specialty staff, palliative care volunteers, designated aged or dementia specialist staff from an area health service, general practitioners, RACF staff and family carers. The findings show communication issues identified by the participants were a significant factor impacting on their capacity to adopt a palliative care approach in caring for people with advanced dementia. The findings support the need for education, skill development and networking to occur among the key providers of care in RACFs to ensure the provision of ,best practice' palliative care to residents with advanced dementia and their families. [source] Risk profiles for non-adherence to antipsychotic medicationsJOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC & MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 8 2008T. V. MCCANN rmn rgn phd ma ba dipnurs (lond) rnt rcnt Poor adherence to medications is common in individuals with schizophrenia, and can lead to relapse and re-hospitalization. This paper presents the findings of an Australian study of the factors affecting antipsychotic medication taking in individuals with schizophrenia. The Factors Influencing Neuroleptic Medication Taking Scale was used with a non-probability sample of mental health service users. Ethics approval was obtained from a university and a hospital ethics committee. Data were analysed using spss version 15. Most participants had insight into their illness and were aware of the stigma of mental illness. Around 70% experienced annoying side effects, while nearly half admitted alcohol consumption. About one-fifth admitted they had missed taking medications during the previous week. Significant others played a variable role in medication taking. Over 80% were satisfied with their relationships with health professionals, but were less satisfied with access to these professionals, especially psychiatrists. Logistic regression analysis showed that age, impact of medication side effects, and access to psychiatrists were independent predictors of medication omission. It is argued that medication taking is a complex issue, which needs to be taken into consideration in health professional training and measures to promote adherence. [source] Darbepoetin alfa administered monthly maintains haemoglobin concentrations in patients with chronic kidney disease not receiving dialysis: A multicentre, open-label, Australian studyNEPHROLOGY, Issue 1 2007ALEX DISNEY SUMMARY: Aim: Darbepoetin alfa, an erythropoiesis-stimulating protein, has a longer serum half-life than recombinant human erythropoietin, allowing less-frequent administration. This study aimed to demonstrate that once-monthly (QM) darbepoetin alfa administration would maintain haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations in subjects with chronic kidney disease (CKD) not receiving dialysis who had previously been administered darbepoetin alfa every 2 weeks (Q2W). Methods: This was a multicentre study in which subjects with CKD receiving stable Q2W darbepoetin alfa doses and with stable Hb (100,130 g/L) were started on QM darbepoetin alfa dosing. The initial QM darbepoetin alfa dose was equivalent to the cumulative darbepoetin alfa dose administered during the month preceding enrolment. Darbepoetin alfa doses were titrated to maintain Hb concentrations between 100 and 130 g/L. The primary endpoint was the proportion of subjects maintaining mean Hb 0e; 100 g/L during the evaluation period (weeks 21,33). Results: Sixty-six subjects were enrolled in the study and all received at least one dose of darbepoetin alfa; 55 (83%) had mean Hb 0e; 100 g/L during evaluation. Mean (SD) Hb concentrations at baseline and during the evaluation period were 119 (8.7) g/L and 114 (9.8) g/L, respectively. The median QM darbepoetin alfa dose at baseline and during the evaluation period was 80 ,g. Darbepoetin alfa was considered to be well-tolerated. Conclusion: Patients with CKD not receiving dialysis who are receiving darbepoetin alfa Q2W can be safely and effectively extended to darbepoetin alfa QM. Dosing QM may simplify anaemia management for patients and health-care providers. [source] Exploring parents' perceptions of television food advertising directed at children: A South Australian studyNUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 1 2007Joyce IP Abstract Objective:, To increase our understanding of parents' perceptions of the influence of television food advertising on children's food choices. Design:, Five focus group discussions. Subjects:, Thirty-two parents (24 women and eight men) of children attending primary school. Setting: Adelaide, South Australia. Data analyses:, The focus group discussions were taped and transcribed and coded as themes. Transcripts were verified and coding was audited. All researchers met regularly to analyse data and reach consensus on emergent themes (researcher triangulation). Results:, Parents who participated in the study indicated that television is a powerful source of information for children's food choices. Parents expressed concern about the negative influence of television food advertising on children's food preferences. They suggested that the current regulations governing television food advertising were not adequately enforced. Parents wanted to see an overall reduction in the volume of food advertisements directed at children, and an increase in advertisements promoting healthy foods. Parents expressed mixed views about banning food advertisements directed at children. Conclusion:, In order for television food advertising to be health-enhancing for children, parents in the study suggested the need for restrictions on advertising practices, tighter enforcement of existing regulations and an increase in healthy food advertisements. The present research shows that parents want to see changes in the current arrangements governing television food advertising to children. [source] Identifying research priorities and research needs among health and research professionals in psycho-oncologyASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY, Issue 3 2010Monika DZIDOWSKA Abstract Aim: To identify and prioritize the key research questions in psycho-oncology in order to guide the development of large multicenter clinically relevant studies. Methods: All members of the Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (n = 295) were invited to participate in an online survey and 180 responded (response rate = 61%). Participants rated eight priority research areas identified from a previous focus group study on a five-point scale, and ranked their top four priority areas. Within the four ranked research areas, participants selected the three most important specific research questions. Results: The highest rated research priority areas were distress identification (23.3%), survivorship (22.7%), and distress management (15.3%), followed by issues relating to health services (9.7%) and carers (8.0%). Interventions were commonly nominated among the most important research questions within each priority area. The single most important research question identified by 44% of the sample was to "Determine the most acceptable, reliable and valid screening tool to be administered routinely at diagnosis and at other key transition points to identify distress and psychosocial needs". Conclusion: This is the first Australian study to explore research priorities in psycho-oncology, and the first international study to explore these issues in depth. To ensure that the research effort is strategic, clinically relevant and cost-effective, clear priorities need to be established. The results of this survey will enable limited resources to focus on key research questions of direct clinical benefit. [source] Grandparenting a child with a disability: An emotional rollercoasterAUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL ON AGEING, Issue 1 2009Sandra Woodbridge Objectives:, As our knowledge about the experiences of grandparents when their grandchild has a disability is extremely limited, the purpose of this research was to explore the emotional journey of Australian grandparents. Method:, This qualitative research utilised purposive sampling and semi-structured in-depth interviews to explore the experiences of 22 Australian grandparents, whose grandchild had been diagnosed with a disability. Results:, Three key themes characterized grandparent's emotional journey: adjusting (the transition from anger to acceptance), the ,double grief' (sadness about what might have been for both their child and grandchild) and pride in family (pride in family's ability to adjust to the challenges of the situation). Conclusion:, As the first Australian study to explore the experiences of grandparents when their grandchild has a disability, the research provides important new knowledge about the emotional journey for grandparents. Unlike overseas research, Australian grandparents view themselves as being there to support their own children, rather than ,holding the family together'. The findings will provide current policy debates about the role of grandparents and highlight the importance of support services that help facilitate grandparent's role within their family. [source] The effect of the levonorgestrel releasing intrauterine system on endometrial hyperplasia: An Australian study and systematic reviewAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 3 2009Melissa J. BUTTINI Background: The levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) provides effective contraception and treatment for menorrhagia and is used to prevent endometrial hyperplasia (EH) in women taking unopposed oestrogens. Aims: The aim of this study was to assess whether the LNG-IUS was also a safe and effective treatment for EH and to conduct a systematic review of the literature. Methods: A retrospective record review was undertaken in a private gynaecology practice in Brisbane, Australia, and included all women with EH treated with hysterectomy, oral progestins or LNG-IUS between January 2004 and April 2007. Histopathological findings from hysterectomy specimens or endometrial biopsies were used to calculate rates of regression of the EH. Results: Twenty-one women elected to have a hysterectomy and seven of those (33%) had no persisting hyperplasia at surgery. Twenty-six women had a LNG-IUS inserted at initial hysteroscopy dilatation and curettage or shortly afterwards; seven of those elected to proceed to hysterectomy when their diagnosis was known. Among ten women who used oral progestin treatment, 90% showed initial regression; two with recurrent EH were subsequently treated successfully with LNG-IUS. All 21 women (100%), including one with atypia, treated with LNG-IUS for more than seven weeks had normal endometrial histology on subsequent assessment. No women developed endometrial cancer. Pooled analysis of the published literature gave a 96% regression rate for non-atypical EH treated with LNG-IUS. Conclusions: These data contribute further evidence that LNG-IUS is a safe and effective method for treating non-atypical EH. Whether LNG-IUS could provide a safe and cost-effective alternative to hysterectomy for atypical EH warrants further examination. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||