Tuesday, 28 November 2017

Call for workers to rise up

James Cook University study has found nearly three quarters of office workers believe there is a negative relationship between sitting down all day at work and their health - and that bosses are crucial to helping solve the problem.

PhD candidate Teneale McGuckin is a lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science at JCU. She surveyed 140 office workers on what they thought was the relationship between sitting time and health.

“One hundred people said that more sitting time worsened their health. Back complaints were the most common worry, then neck aches and loss of muscle tone. People also talked about weight gain and that sitting down all day reduced their motivation.”

Ms McGuckin said that science supported the view that sitting is bad for you.

“Increased sitting time has been associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease and reduced life expectancy.  Links to weight gain, some cancers, type 2 diabetes, and breathing difficulties, have also been identified.”

The office workers were also asked what they thought could be done about the problem and suggested a variety of behaviour change strategies.

These included alarms or alerts to prompt standing, or computer software which freezes the computer for a selected period of time, standing in meetings or in the lunchroom, and standing desks.

“But whatever the strategy used, the focus groups said it needed to include education on the benefits and it needed buy-in from management. People said the breaks have to be seen as a normal activity and there shouldn’t be criticism if they are away from their desks,” said Ms McGuckin.

She said that it was plain a ‘one size fits all’ approach would be unlikely to succeed due to personal preferences.

“Interventions have to include a variety of strategies that are individually tailored and in which the people involved have the opportunity for input. If people feel they have control of the situation in this way, the strategy is more likely to work.”

Reproduced from https://www.jcu.edu.au/news/releases/2017/november/call-for-workers-to-rise-up

Sunday, 26 November 2017

Publication: Improving mental health outcomes assessment with the Mental Health Inventory-21

Hennessy, Maria J., Patrick, Jeff C., and Swinbourne, Anne L. (2017) Improving mental health outcomes assessment with the Mental Health Inventory-21. Australian Psychologist. (In Press)

https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/51515/

Abstract

Objective: There is a growing consensus that mental health should be conceptualised as a complete state that considers both illness and well-being components. In Australian mental health services, the Mental Health Inventory (MHI) is the only one of the three currently used consumer outcome measures that includes this broader perspective. However, the MHI has been criticised for its length, and variable factor structure. In order to improve the clinical utility of the MHI, a reliability and validity study of the MHI was undertaken.

Method: The original 38-item version of the MHI was administered to an Australian adult community sample (n = 616), along with two other consumer outcome measures (BASIS-32 and Kessler-10), a measure of psychological distress (DASS-21) and a measure of well-being (Satisfaction with Life Scale).

Results: Parallel analysis did not support the original factor structure of the MHI. The data indicated a correlated three-factor structure, measuring psychological distress, emotional well-being, and hopelessness. Seventeen items were deleted due to split loadings > .3, producing a shorter 21-item scale. New simplified additive scoring rules were also developed to support the practical utility of the scale.

Conclusion: Research, clinical practice and consumer feedback consistently highlight the need for a balanced assessment approach to mental health, which considers not only illness symptomatology, but also the characteristics of well-being that support recovery. Use of the three subscales of the MHI-21 would support a complete state assessment of mental health outcomes.

Wednesday, 22 November 2017

Publication: Occupational disruption among people with haematological cancer during treatment isolation

Tolson, Amanda, Lowrie, Daniel, Chand, Alisha, and Marsh, Jodie (2017) Occupational disruption among people with haematological cancer during treatment isolation. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 24 (9). pp. 394-402.

https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/50878/

Abstract
Occupational disruption and deprivation have been researched across a range of health and socio-political contexts. To date, no previous research has examined these phenomena in a haematological treatment isolation context. The purpose of this study was to develop an improved understanding of the occupational impact of prolonged treatment isolation upon people with haematological cancer. Narrative data were collected through a single semi-structured interviews with four adults with a history of haematological cancer and treatment isolation. The data were analysed through an interpretive phenomenological lens, resulting in four key, interrelated themes: survival as an occupation, environmental deprivation, polarised views of routine and reframing occupational identity. Whilst all participants experienced disruption to their previous occupational routines during and beyond treatment isolation, the degree and nature of this disruption varied over time. During the initial phases of isolation, a focus was placed on survival as the key occupation. Later, a sense of physical, sensory and social deprivation emerged as a result of the restrictive environment. This triggered a reframing of their identity as occupational beings, which continued post-treatment. The findings of this paper are important within the field of occupational science as they highlight the necessity of personalised approaches to supporting occupational engagement among people with haematological cancer, which might require modification over time, as individual's needs and priorities evolve.

Monday, 20 November 2017

JCU Midwifery students attend Townsville Mum's and Bub's market

JCU College of Healthcare Sciences Midwifery students attended the Townsville Mum's And Bub's Market on Saturday promoting the JCU Continuity of Midwifery program.





Publication: The impact of own and others' alcohol consumption on social contagion following a collaborative memory task

Thorley, Craig, and Christiansen, Paul (2018) The impact of own and others' alcohol consumption on social contagion following a collaborative memory task. Memory. (In Press)

https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/51509/

Abstract
When one person alters their recollection of an event to be consistent with another person's erroneous account of the same event, social contagion has occurred. In two studies, we examined whether alcohol consumption influences the degree to which people engage in social contagion. In Study 1, participants consumed alcohol, an alcohol placebo, or a soft drink and then completed a collaborative recall test with a confederate who consumed a soft drink. In Study 2, participants consumed a soft drink and then completed a collaborative recall test with a confederate they believed had consumed a soft drink or alcohol (but no alcohol was ever consumed). In both studies, the confederate made scripted errors during the collaborative recall test. On post-collaborative individual recall and recognition tests, participants in both studies engaged in social contagion by including the confederate’s errors in their own recollection. In Study 1, the drink participants consumed had no influence on social contagion. In Study 2, participants were less likely to engage in social contagion after collaborating with a confederate who had seemingly consumed alcohol. That same confederate was viewed as less accurate, trustworthy, and credible, which likely made participants less inclined to engage in social contagion.

Saturday, 18 November 2017

Mount Isa Nursing student remembered with posthumous award

A past Mount Isa nursing graduate was remembered for her love of life and dedication to her degree at an award ceremony held at Mount Isa Hospital on Monday November 13.



Tanika Lea Caslick was known as a quiet achiever with a witty sense of humour, but died suddenly last year due to unknown circumstances at the age of 19.

She was studying a Bachelor of Nursing at James Cook University and was today awarded with a Posthumous Degree of Higher Education Majoring in Health.

“Tanika was remembered with a beautiful ceremony in the community garden, surrounded by her family, friends, fellow students, colleagues and hospital executives,” said James Cook University senior lecturer, Tanya Langtree.

“She was a very kind and gentle soul and well-known among her peers and community.”

The ceremony also saw the unveiling of a seat, designed by one of Tanika’s friends and fellow student, Brooke Wilson.

“I met Tanika through studying at JCU. Tanika was shy at first, a lot like me and then once we got to know each other we discovered that we were both loud.

“We studied together but also connected on a social level taking off to Townsville for weekends away.

“I made her a chair, it took me a while but I tried to decorate it with colours that reminded me of her and the same butterfly that we released for her the day she passed away.

“No one knows the reason behind Tanika’s death, it was very sudden and I think that’s why it hit all of us so hard.”

Reproduced from http://www.northweststar.com.au/story/5053181/mount-isa-nursing-student-remembered-with-posthumous-award/

Publication: Bringing together the 'Threads of Care' in possible miscarriage for women, their partners and nurses in non-metropolitan EDs

Edwards, Susan, Birks, Melanie, Chapman, Ysanne, and Yates, Karen (2017) Bringing together the 'Threads of Care' in possible miscarriage for women, their partners and nurses in non-metropolitan EDs. Collegian. pp. 1-9. (In Press)

https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/51231/

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy is a significant event in a woman’s life, a time of great expectation and attachment to the possibilities and dreams placed onto the new life growing inside her. Complications in pregnancy are physically and psychologically traumatic experiences that can generate high levels of anxiety. Vaginal bleeding, pain, or both in the first trimester of pregnancy are common causes for presentation in any Australian emergency department. These emergency departments play an important role in the provision of healthcare in regional, rural and remote areas. When experiencing possible miscarriage, the care that is provided to women and their partners presenting to their regional, rural and remote emergency departments can have significant impact on their approach to current and future pregnancies.

Aim: The aim of this research was to explore the experiences of women and male partners who presented to non-metropolitan emergency departments with possible miscarriage, along with the experiences of nursing staff who provided care in these settings.

Methods: Using a grounded theory methodology, three participant groups were included in this study: women who presented to an emergency department, their partners, and the nursing staff who provided care in these settings.
Findings: The developed theory ‘Threads of Care’ incorporated five stages of their journey through a non-metropolitan emergency department with possible pregnancy loss: presenting as one; wanting recognition and inclusion; seeking support and understanding; leaving as one; and moving on.

Discussion: The theory enhances the understanding of what constitutes optimal and effective care for women and their partners when presenting to non-metropolitan emergency departments with possible miscarriage.

Conclusion: The recommendations from this grounded theory will inform approaches to care that aim to meet the needs of women, their partners and nursing staff who care for them.

Thursday, 16 November 2017

Publication: Medical and allied health staff self-reported long-term conditions: findings from a regional Australian health service

Smyth, Wendy, Lindsay, David, Brennan, Daryl, and Lindsay, Daniel (2017) Medical and allied health staff self-reported long-term conditions: findings from a regional Australian health service. International Journal of Workplace Health Management. (In Press)

https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/51479/

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe the self-reported long-term conditions of medical officers and allied health staff working in a regional public health service in northern Australia and how these are managed.

Design/methodology/approach: A cross-sectional survey design was used. The sample was all medical officers and allied health staff employed in mid-2015.

Findings: Of the 365 respondents, 217 (59.5%) reported having at least one long-term condition. There was a statistically significant association between professional group and the number of long-term conditions reported, χ2=10.24, p<0.05. A greater proportion of medical officers (n=29, 43.9%) reported having only one long-term condition compared with allied health staff (n=36, 24.5%). The top four categories of conditions were respiratory, musculo-skeletal, mental health, and episodic and paroxysmal, although the patterns varied amongst the professional groups, and across age groups. Respondents usually managed their main long-term conditions with personal strategies, rarely using workplace strategies.

Research limitations/implications: Although somewhat low, the response rate of 32% was similar to previous surveys in this health service. Since this survey, the health service has implemented a broad Health and Wellness Program to support their qualified workforce. Future evaluations of this program will be undertaken, including whether the program has assisted health professionals to manage their long-term conditions.

Practical implications: There is an urgent need for targeted, workplace-based health promotion strategies to support staff with long term conditions. Such strategies would complement self-management approaches, and also provide an important recruitment and retention initiative.

Originality/value: This study adds empirical evidence regarding the long-term conditions among health professionals and their self-management strategies. Little is known about the long-term conditions among the various health professional groups and the findings thus make an important contribution to existing literature.

Monday, 13 November 2017

Publication: The use of Facebook for virtual asynchronous focus groups in qualitative research

Biedermann, Narelle (2017) The use of Facebook for virtual asynchronous focus groups in qualitative research. Contemporary Nurse. (In Press)

https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/51289/

Abstract
The Internet and the development of more user-engaging applications have opened a whole new world for researchers as a means of recruitment and data collection source. This paper describes the methodological approach of a research study that explored the experiences of Australian military spouses who packed up their family and home to accompany their spouse on an overseas posting. The study used Facebook as a recruitment tool and then as a data source through the conduct of an asynchronous virtual focus group. This paper outlines the advantages and disadvantages of this unique data source as a means of capturing the voices of a hard-to-reach population.

Sessional Staff Teaching Awards

On 6 November, the Directorate of Learning, Teaching and Student Engagement hosted the 2017 Sessional Staff Teaching Awards.

The Sessional Teaching Awards, an LTSE initiative, celebrates the invaluable contribution that our sessional staff make to the JCU learning and teaching community. This year saw nominations from four of JCU’s colleges. Recipients are nominated by peers, endorsed by the College Dean and awarded a prize of $1,000.

Congratulations to JCU College of Healthcare Sciences sessional staff, Rebekah Boynton (pictured) and Helen Mason who have been recognised this year.



Wednesday, 8 November 2017

Publication: A necessary practice parameter: Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Midwife standards for practice

Nagle, Cate, Heartfield, Marie, McDonald, Susan, Morrow, Jane, Kruger, Gina, Bryce, Julianne, Birks, Melanie, Cramer, Rhian, Stelfox, Sara, and Hartney, Nicole (2017) A necessary practice parameter: nursing and midwifery board of Australia midwife standards for practice. Women and Birth, 30 (S1). pp. 10-11.

https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/51482/

Abstract

Introduction: The NMBA Development of Midwife standards for practice project has reviewed the National competency standards for the midwife (Nursing and Midwifery Board Australia, 2006) to inform the drafting of Midwife standards for practice. Midwife standards for practice set out the expectations of the midwife’s practice and inform midwifery education accreditation standards, the regulation of midwives and determination of the midwife’s capability for practice. The Standards guide consumers, employers and other stakeholders on what to reasonably expect from a midwife regardless of the area of practice or the years of experience.

Aim: Present the research and consultation outcomes that have informed the development of the current draft Midwife standards for practice.

Methods: The methods in this three phase study include literature and evidence reviews, interviews, consultations, surveys and observations of midwives practice. Unike clinical guidelines the knowledge to inform standards for practice is not discrete and bounded by specific sets of information with technical solutions. The current relevant evidence has been integrated with the knowledge, experiences and views of midwives across Australia who practice in various jurisdictions, sectors and models of care as well as in clinical and non-clinical roles as well as consumers and individuals who represent professional, government and regulatory authorities.

Results: Midwifery practice in this project is apparent as the promotion of health and wellbeing in relation to childbearing, with inherent responsibilities and accountabilities for safety and quality that occurs in the context of respectful collaborative relationships. The current draft Standards acknowledge the involvement of others while clearly positioning midwifery practice as focused on the needs of the woman.

Conclusion and implications: The final project phase will test these draft standards through a second round of observations of midwives practicing in clinical and non-clinical settings to ensure that the standards reflect current (not aspirational) evidence-based midwifery practice, are up-to-date, meet legislative requirements and align with the other NMBA standards for practice.

Publication: A comparison of game-play characteristics between elite youth and senior Australian National Rugby League competitions

Woods, Carl T., Robertson, Sam, Sinclair, Wade H., Till, Kevin, Pearce, Leesa, and Leicht, Anthony S. (2017) A comparison of game-play characteristics between elite youth and senior Australian National Rugby League competitions. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. (In Press)

https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/51067/

Abstract

Objectives: To compare game-play characteristics between elite youth and senior Australian National Rugby League (NRL) competitions.

Design: Longitudinal observational.

Methods: The dataset consisted of 12 team performance indicators (e.g., ‘all runs’, ‘offloads’ and ‘tackles’) extracted from all 2016 national under 20 (U20) competition (elite youth; n = 372 observations) and National Rugby League (NRL) (elite senior; n = 378 observations) matches. Data was classified according to competition (Two levels: U20 and NRL) and modelled using two techniques. Firstly, non-metric multidimensional scaling resolved multivariate competition (dis)similarity, visualised using a two-dimensional ordination. Secondly, a conditional interference (CI) classification tree was grown to reveal the performance indicators most capable of explaining competition level.

Results: Non-metric multidimensional scaling revealed high competition dissimilarity, with U20 and NRL teams orienting distinctive positions on the first dimension of the ordination surface. Five team performance indicators were retained within the CI tree (‘all runs’, ‘tackle breaks’, ‘tackles’, ‘missed tackles’, and ‘kicks’), which correctly classified 79% of the U20 observations and 93% of the NRL observations.

Conclusions: Multivariate differences between elite youth and senior rugby league competitions were identified. Specifically, NRL game-play was classified by a greater number of ‘all runs’, and ‘tackles’ and a lower number of ‘missed tackles’ relative to the U20 competition. Given the national U20 competition is purported to assist with the development of prospective NRL players, junior coaches may consider training interventions that primarily aid the tackling capacities of players. This may subsequently assist with talent development and player progression in Australian rugby league.

Sunday, 5 November 2017

Inaugural Indigenous Student Awards Night

Congratulations to JCU College of Healthcare Sciences students, Clarissa Marrinan (Townsville) – Bachelor of Nursing Science - Bachelor of Midwifery; and Jefferson Mobbs (Cairns) – Bachelor of Exercise Physiology.


James Cook University has honoured the academic achievements of Indigenous students at its inaugural Indigenous Undergraduate Student Awards night.

The awards acknowledge and celebrate the efforts that JCU’s Indigenous students make to succeed in their higher education studies.

Academic awards were presented to students from each of JCU’s six Colleges and the Diploma of Higher Education, and two ‘Spirit’ awards were presented to students who have shown exceptional strength and resilience to overcome setbacks and persist with their studies.

Professor Martin Nakata, Pro Vice Chancellor of Indigenous Education and Strategy said the awards are designed to reward and encourage Indigenous students’ efforts to persist and succeed.

“The celebration provides an inspiring showcase to other Indigenous students and to our many supporters across the JCU community, the Indigenous community, across education, Industry and government sectors, and the community at large,” he said.

“Indigenous student success and the ability to overcome challenges provides a wellspring of inspiration for others and reminds us just what Indigenous students can achieve, given the opportunity and support to do so.”

The awards were hosted by the Indigenous Education and Research Centre at JCU, which provides personal and academic support to Indigenous students to help them achieve their full potential and achieve their goals to graduate.

Reproduced from https://www.jcu.edu.au/news/releases/2017/november/inaugural-indigenous-student-awards-night

What drives Townsville to save water?

A JCU College of Healthcare Sciences researcher wants to help Townsville residents save water.

Postgraduate research student Madelyn Pardon is investigating Townsville residents’ water usage, attitudes, beliefs and behaviours to find out how to make water conservation communication more effective.

“We need to understand the types of things that encourage water saving behaviours,” she said. “There are high level government strategies being planned but we can make a start solving the problem by focusing on what we can change as a community.”

Ms Pardon’s research is about how people process threatening information by using Townsville’s water shortage as an example.

“I am hoping to group people according to how threatening they believe the issue is and by how much they think they can personally help mitigate the problem,” she said.  “I expect people will fall into three groups; those who are resistant to the problem, those who are passionate about the problem and those who sit somewhere in the middle.”

Once these groups have been identified, Ms Pardon wants to tailor water-saving messaging to each group with the aim of increasing their water saving behaviour.

“I want to understand what type of communication about water saving would be the most effective for different people,” she said. “Therefore, instead of a blanket message for the entire community we can develop a series of messages that have been tailored to specific types of people.

“Hopefully that will be more successful in terms of action, or at least intention to act.”

Ms Pardon is conducting her research via an online survey which can be accessed via the Townsville Water Survey Facebook page.

Reproduced from https://www.jcu.edu.au/news/releases/2017/november/what-drives-townsville-to-save-water

Publication: Anterograde amnesia and disorientation are associated with in-patients without traumatic brain injury taking opioids

McLellan, Jessica, Marshman, Laurence A.G., and Hennessy, Maria (2017) Anterograde amnesia and disorientation are associated with in-patients without traumatic brain injury taking opioids. Retrograde amnesia (RA) is absent. RA assessment should be integral to post-traumatic amnesia testing. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, 44. pp. 184-187.

https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/51285/

Abstract
The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) only assesses orientation after traumatic brain injury (TBI). ‘Post-traumatic amnesia’ (PTA) comprises orientation, anterograde amnesia (AA) and retrograde amnesia (RA). However, RA is often disregarded in formalized PTA assessment. Drugs can potentially confound PTA assessment: e.g. midazolam can cause AA. However, potential drug confounders are also often disregarded in formalized PTA testing. One study of medium-stay elective-surgery orthopaedic patients (without TBI) demonstrated AA in 80% taking opiates after general anesthesia. However, RA was not assessed. Opiates/opioids are frequently administered after TBI. We compared AA and RA in short-stay orthopaedic surgery in-patients (without TBI) taking post-operative opioids after opiate/opioid/benzodiazepine-free spinal anesthesia. In a prospective cohort, the Westmead PTA Scale (WPTAS) was used to assess AA (WPTAS < 12), whilst RA was assessed using the Galveston Orientation and Amnesia Test RA item. Results were obtained in n = 25 (60 ± 14 yrs, M:F 17:8). Surgery was uncomplicated: all were discharged by Day-4. All were taking regular oxycodone as a new post-operative prescription. Only one co-administered non-opioid was potentially confounding (temezepam, n = 4). Of 25, 14 (56%) demonstrated AA: five (20%) were simultaneously disorientated. Mean WPTAS was 11.08 ± 1.22. RA occurred in 0%. Conclusions: AA and disorientation, but not RA, were associated with in-patients (without TBI) taking opioids. Caution should therefore be applied in assessing AA/orientation in TBI in-patients taking opioids. By contrast, retrograde memory was robust and more reliable: even in older patients with iatrogenic AA and disorientation. RA assessment should therefore be integral to assessing TBI severity in all formalized PTA and GCS testing.

New Library Books - October 2017

This is a list of new books which have recently been added to the JCU Library collection. Books may be borrowed from the displays in the Eddie Koiki Mabo Library and the Cairns Campus Library, unless they are in non-borrowable collections such as Reference. Click on the title links to see more details in Tropicat and to access eBooks online.

ONLINE
ONLINE
ONLINE
155 SLE 2015
ONLINE
ONLINE
ONLINE
302.2301 OXF
616.855 TEL
617.917 PER
610.7343 INT 2017
614 LIA