Recent Research and Papers Archives - Page 7 of 15

August 2024

An overview of outputs of Aboriginal- and Torres Strait Islander-related publications from University Departments of Rural Health in Australia; 2010–2021

admin2024-09-09T13:28:47+10:00

Introduction Disparities in the health of Indigenous people and in the health of rural populations are well described. University Departments of Rural Health (UDRHs) in Australia are federally funded under a program to address ongoing challenges with health workforce distribution for rural and remote areas. They have a significant role in research in regional, rural and remote areas, including research related to Indigenous health. However, a comprehensive analysis of their contributions to original Indigenous health related to Indigenous health is lacking. Objective This study examines the contributions of UDRHs to Indigenous issues through analysis of publications of UDRHs focused on [...]

An overview of outputs of Aboriginal- and Torres Strait Islander-related publications from University Departments of Rural Health in Australia; 2010–2021admin2024-09-09T13:28:47+10:00

Identifying health and healthcare priorities in rural areas: A concept mapping study informed by consumers, health professionals and researchers

admin2024-09-09T13:40:13+10:00

Abstract Background It is vital that health service delivery and health interventions address patients’ needs or preferences, are relevant for practice and can be implemented. Involving those who will use or deliver healthcare in priority-setting can lead to health service delivery and research that is more meaningful and impactful. This is particularly crucial in rural communities, where limited resources and disparities in healthcare and health outcomes are often more pronounced. The aim of this study was to determine the health and healthcare priorities in rural communities using a region-wide community engagement approach. Methods This multi-methods study was conducted in five [...]

Identifying health and healthcare priorities in rural areas: A concept mapping study informed by consumers, health professionals and researchersadmin2024-09-09T13:40:13+10:00

Identifying health and healthcare priorities in rural areas: A concept mapping study informed by consumers, health professionals and researchers

admin2025-04-07T11:48:48+10:00

Identifying health and healthcare priorities in rural areas: A concept mapping study informed by consumers, health professionals and researchersadmin2025-04-07T11:48:48+10:00

Informing the management of the post-COVID condition: insights from the Western Australian experience comparing those who tested positive and negative to early COVID-19 strains.

admin2024-09-09T13:55:13+10:00

Abstract Objective This study aimed to compare the relative physical recovery and symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection between groups confirmed positive or negative to early strains of COVID-19. Methods A prospective, longitudinal cohort study compared outcomes of metropolitan adults polymerase chain reaction-tested for COVID-19 between March and November 2020 in Western Australia. Control matching was attempted: inpatients (gender, age) and ambulatory clinic (gender, age, asthma, chronic pulmonary disease). One-year follow-up involved three repeated measures: physical function (grip strength and 1-min sit-to-stand) and patient-reported outcomes (Fatigue Severity Scale, modified Medical Research Council dyspnoea scale and Euroqol-5D-5L). Results Three hundred and forty-four participants [...]

Informing the management of the post-COVID condition: insights from the Western Australian experience comparing those who tested positive and negative to early COVID-19 strains.admin2024-09-09T13:55:13+10:00

Factors critical for the successful delivery of telehealth to rural populations: a descriptive qualitative study

admin2024-09-09T13:31:14+10:00

Background The use of telehealth has proliferated to the point of being a common and accepted method of healthcare service delivery. Due to the rapidity of telehealth implementation, the evidence underpinning this approach to healthcare delivery is lagging, particularly when considering the uniqueness of some service users, such as those in rural areas. This research aimed to address the current gap in knowledge related to the factors critical for the successful delivery of telehealth to rural populations. Methods This research used a qualitative descriptive design to explore telehealth service provision in rural areas from the perspective of clinicians and describe [...]

Factors critical for the successful delivery of telehealth to rural populations: a descriptive qualitative studyadmin2024-09-09T13:31:14+10:00

Does an expanded allied health student training programme in regional New South Wales (Australia) result in a positive social return on investment? A protocol for a single-university education-based economic evaluation

admin2024-09-09T13:30:19+10:00

Abstract Introduction 20 years ago, health professional student placements in rural areas of Australia were identified as an important rural recruitment strategy and funding priority. Since then, there has been a growing body of research investigating the value, impact, barriers and facilitators of student placements in rural areas of Australia. Charles Sturt University, Three Rivers Department of Rural Health, was recently awarded an Australian Government grant to expand their Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training (RHMT) programme, designed to increase multi-disciplinary student placements in rural areas of New South Wales (NSW), Australia. The aim of this study is to determine if the expanded [...]

Does an expanded allied health student training programme in regional New South Wales (Australia) result in a positive social return on investment? A protocol for a single-university education-based economic evaluationadmin2024-09-09T13:30:19+10:00

Reflecting on the quality of a methodologically pluralist evaluation of a large-scale Indigenous health research collaboration in Australia

admin2024-09-09T13:58:06+10:00

Abstract Background Indigenous communities worldwide lead calls for all evaluations of research, programmes and policies affecting their communities to reflect the values, priorities and perspectives of the Indigenous peoples and communities involved. Tools, such as the Quality Appraisal Tool (QAT), are available to assess research quality through an Indigenous cultural lens. Good evaluation requires that evaluation efforts be evaluated. We found that critical reflection on the quality of evaluations from an Indigenous perspective is largely absent from the published literature. To ensure that we strive for quality in evaluation as determined by Indigenous people with whom we work, we examined [...]

Reflecting on the quality of a methodologically pluralist evaluation of a large-scale Indigenous health research collaboration in Australiaadmin2024-09-09T13:58:06+10:00

July 2024

Location and access to health courses for rural students: an Australian audit

admin2024-09-09T13:32:56+10:00

The undersupply of health professionals in rural areas impacts healthcare access for those living in rural Australia. A strategy to increase the rural health workforce is to recruit and educate rural people. However, long-standing inequities for rural Australians in accessing tertiary education persist. The aim of this study was to audit the 2023 offerings of Australian allied health, nursing, dental and medical university courses to identify geographical availability and those delivered online. Methods A desktop audit of Australian allied health, nursing, dental and medical courses offered in 2023 was undertaken to identify the courses and delivery modes of those courses [...]

Location and access to health courses for rural students: an Australian auditadmin2024-09-09T13:32:56+10:00

Efficacy of a student-led interprofessional health clinic in regional Australia for preventing and managing chronic disease

admin2024-09-09T13:53:57+10:00

ABSTRACT Increasing chronic disease rates in regional Australian communities necessitates innovative models of healthcare. We evaluated the efficacy of an interprofessional chronic disease program, delivered within a regional student-led nursing and allied health clinic in Southern Queensland, Australia. Changes to anthropometric, aerobic fitness and strength, and quality of life outcomes were examined at four time points spanning 16 months: intake, program transition (4 months), 6 and 12 months (post-transition). Our primary aim was to investigate whether the health improvements achieved during the program were sustained at 12 months in a subset of participants who provided complete data. Significant improvements were found [...]

Efficacy of a student-led interprofessional health clinic in regional Australia for preventing and managing chronic diseaseadmin2024-09-09T13:53:57+10:00

Are we missing opportunities to detect acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in hospital care? A multijurisdictional cohort study

admin2024-09-09T13:42:16+10:00

Abstract Objective This study aimed to investigate potential missed diagnoses of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease during hospital-based care among persons subsequently identified with these conditions. Methods This retrospective cohort study used linked emergency department and inpatient administrative records from Queensland, Northern Territory, South Australia, and New South Wales during 2003–2018 (varying between jurisdictions by completeness of data) of all persons first identified with acute rheumatic fever or rheumatic heart disease while aged 8–24 years. Using coded discharge diagnoses from the preceding 3 years, we identified presentations (e.g. joint pains or heart murmur without specific identified cause) that [...]

Are we missing opportunities to detect acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in hospital care? A multijurisdictional cohort studyadmin2024-09-09T13:42:16+10:00