Abstract Aims This commentary aims to assist emerging leaders of mental health research with older rural Australians through (i) affirmation that others share the barriers, pitfalls and challenges being faced; (ii) reinforcing the rationale making this a pertinent area for research; and (iii) opening a dialogue for best practice to engage older rural Australians in mental health research. Context Supporting the mental health of older adults is a pertinent global challenge, none more so than in rural Australia where restricted access to services and supports are compounded by limited help-seeking behaviours and capacity to engage with support. Paradoxically, such limitations [...]

Abstract Demand on education and health authorities to provide workplace based learning opportunities for students to acquire interprofessional collaborative practice competencies is increasing. This article outlines the acquisition of interprofessional competencies by pre-registration health professional students in a four-week interprofessional training ward placement. Four final-year health professional students (medicine, nursing, occupational therapy and physiotherapy), from two tertiary education institutes worked together on an assessment, treatment and rehabilitation ward for older adults based within a local tertiary hospital. Four competency domains were the focus for the placement: role clarification and appreciation; interprofessional communication; team functioning; and interprofessional coordination and shared decision-making. [...]

Abstract A rise in aging populations globally calls attention to factors that influence the well-being and health of older adults, including social participation. In Australia, rural older adults face cultural, social, and physical challenges that place them at risk for isolation. Thus, research surrounding social participation and healthy aging is increasingly relevant, especially in rural areas. This qualitative study in a remote town in Western Australia explores barriers and facilitators to older adults’ social participation. To investigate multiple perspectives, 23 adults aged 50+ and 19 organizations from a rural town were interviewed. A stakeholder reference group was engaged to refine [...]

ABSTRACT Undertaking an authentic interprofessional simulation experience may be a useful and consistent strategy for healthcare professional students to build competencies required for a rural healthcare context. An observational comparative study design was adopted to evaluate a clinical simulation experience created to develop the interprofessional competencies of a sample of healthcare professional students at a regional university situated on multiple campuses in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Over 200 students across three campuses of the university were involved in a simulation experience that included four interprofessional activities. Of these students, 189 (89%) agreed to participate in the study. The healthcare [...]

Background: Clinical placements can be limited in rural areas so innovative models of this are increasingly needed. Aims: This paper explores the learning afforded to undergraduate paramedicine students through a short-term health promotion activity. Methods: Undergraduate paramedicine students who attended a health promotion event as part of their work-integrated learning requirements were invited to take part in a group mind-mapping activity. Two central questions were posed to the students: ‘What did you learn during your placement at the agricultural field days?’ and ‘What facilitated your learning at the agricultural field days?’ Results: 13 of the 14 students attending the placement [...]