Recent Research Papers and Reports

Researchers from the University Departments of Rural Health publish in a wide variety of national and international journals.

A selection of the most recent papers is provided below.

Date Published

Publication Title (click to view)

30
Aug, 2023
Patterns of collaboration and knowledge generated by an Australian rural research centre over 20 years: a co-authorship network analysis.
Patterns of collaboration and knowledge generated by an Australian rural research centre over 20 years: a co-authorship network analysis.
Abstract Summary
Background People living in rural areas have poorer health than their urban counterparts. Although rural health research centres have been promoted as vehicles for improving rural health by contributing evidence to address rural health disadvantage and building research capacity, their characteristics and evolution are poorly understood. Collaboration is known to have an important positive influence on research outputs and research quality. In this study we examine publication outputs from an Australian rural research centre to evaluate how researchers have engaged in research collaboration over a two-decade period. Methods A retrospective longitudinal study of publications in peer-reviewed journals from a rural [...]
29
Aug, 2023
Quality appraisal of spatial epidemiology and health geography research: A scoping review of systematic reviews
Quality appraisal of spatial epidemiology and health geography research: A scoping review of systematic reviews
Abstract Summary
Abstract A scoping review of peer-reviewed literature was conducted to understand how systematic reviews assess the methodological quality of spatial epidemiology and health geography research. Fifty-nine eligible reviews were identified and included. Variations in the use of quality appraisal tools were found. Reviews applied existing quality appraisal tools with no adaptations (n = 32; 54%), existing quality appraisal tools with adaptations (n = 9; 15%), adapted tools or methods from other reviews (n = 13; 22%), and developed new quality appraisal tools for the review (n = 5; 8%). Future research should focus on developing and validating a quality appraisal [...]
14
Aug, 2023
Translating aspects of The National Rural and Remote Nursing Generalist Framework 2023–2027 into practice: opportunities and considerations
Translating aspects of The National Rural and Remote Nursing Generalist Framework 2023–2027 into practice: opportunities and considerations
Abstract Summary
ABSTRACT (PhD, *Correspondence to: H. Beks Deakin Rural Health, School of Medicine, Warrnambool, Vic., Australia Email: hannah.beks@deakin.edu.au Received: 5 May 2023 Accepted: 27 July 2023 Published: 14 August 2023 Cite this: Beks H et al. (2023) Australian Health Review 47(5), 626–628. doi:10.1071/AH23098 © 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of AHHA. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution- NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND) OPEN ACCESS Reforms that grow the capabilities of the health workforce are critical to improving outcomes for populations residing in rural and remote areas of [...]
6
Aug, 2023
Supporting nursing and allied health student placements in rural and remote Australia: a narrative review of publications by university departments of rural health
Supporting nursing and allied health student placements in rural and remote Australia: a narrative review of publications by university departments of rural health
Abstract Summary
University departments of rural health are Commonwealth-funded to improve recruitment and retention of the rural allied health and nursing (including midwifery) workforce, primarily through student placements. We examined publications by university departments of rural health that were focused on allied health and nursing students undertaking placements in rural Australia, to understand the characteristics, main findings and implications of the research conducted. Interprofessional learning was a key feature of placements and placement education, although other activities such as community engagement added to placement experiences. Factors such as quality supervision and being involved in the community contributed to a positive placement experience [...]
25
Jul, 2023
An exploration of mental health, stress and well-being concerns among health students undertaking rural placements in Australia during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic
An exploration of mental health, stress and well-being concerns among health students undertaking rural placements in Australia during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic
Abstract Summary
Abstract Introduction: The emergence of COVID-19 in 2020 led to an increase in stressors for students on rural placements, but little is known about how this impacted their mental health and well-being. Objective: To explore self-reported mental health, stress and well-being concerns among allied health, nursing and medical students who completed a scheduled University Department of Rural Health (UDRH)-faciliated rural placement in Australia between February and October 2020 (n = 1066). Design: Cross-sectional design involving an online survey measuring mental health, stress and well-being concerns. The survey was distributed via email by the 16 UDRHs across Australia. Findings: A total of 42.9%, 63.8% and [...]
4
May, 2023
The ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on student placements facilitated by University Departments of Rural Health.
The ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on student placements facilitated by University Departments of Rural Health.
Abstract Summary
Executive Summary University Departments of Rural Health (UDRHs) are funded under the Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training (RHMT) program to facilitate clinical placements in rural and remote settings throughout Australia for students enrolled in tertiary health courses. UDRHs support students financially to travel to rural and remote locations, provide subsidised accommodation, and ensure clinical learning needs are met whilst on placement. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 16 operational UDRHs across Australia supported over 16,500 placements in 2019 (mostly in nursing, midwifery and allied health).¹ Although similar numbers of UDRH-facilitated placements were planned in 2020, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic [...]
31
Mar, 2023
In-demand, interactive, and an appetite for more: Analysis of uptake and learner feedback in an open-access introductory telehealth course during COVID-19.
In-demand, interactive, and an appetite for more: Analysis of uptake and learner feedback in an open-access introductory telehealth course during COVID-19.
Abstract Summary
Introduction: The use of telehealth has accelerated with health service delivery restrictions experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research assessed learner enrolments and feedback in an introductory, online, open-access, rural-focused telehealth training course to inform future telehealth education design. Methods: Differences in enrolled learner demographics “before” (n = 331) and “after” (n = 3,776) COVID-19-related changes in Australia were assessed. Content analysis of learner feedback was conducted to understand the beneficial aspects of the course and to inform future telehealth education and training development. Results: Concurrent with telehealth changes announced in Australia in March 2020, enrolments in the course sharply [...]
27
Mar, 2023
‘I thought they would do it on the spot’: why do people with non-traumatic musculoskeletal pain present to emergency departments?
‘I thought they would do it on the spot’: why do people with non-traumatic musculoskeletal pain present to emergency departments?
Abstract Summary
Objective To investigate the reasons patients with non-traumatic musculoskeletal pain (NTMSP) present to an emergency department (ED), their experience of care and perceptions about managing their condition in the future. Methods A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with patients with NTMSP presenting to a suburban ED. A purposive sampling strategy included participants with different pain characteristics, demographics and psychological factors. Results Eleven patients with NTMSP who presented to an ED were interviewed, reaching saturation of major themes. Seven reasons for ED presentation were identified: (1) desire for pain relief, (2) inability to access other healthcare, (3) expecting comprehensive care at the ED, (4) [...]
10
Mar, 2023
Using the Perceive, Recall, Plan and Perform Assessment of cognitive strategy use with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: Initial exploration of clinical utility.
Using the Perceive, Recall, Plan and Perform Assessment of cognitive strategy use with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: Initial exploration of clinical utility.
Abstract Summary
Introduction Culturally safe and meaningful cognitive assessment methods for use with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are scarce. Concerns are raised regarding the efficacy of existing methods in cross-cultural contexts. The Perceive, Recall, Plan and Perform (PRPP) Assessment offers a person-centred alternative whereby cognitive strategy application is examined during performance of culturally relevant everyday tasks. This paper explores its use with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia. Methods A critical case study design was applied to examine the effectiveness and relevance of the PRPP Assessment with two Aboriginal Australian people in the Northern Territory of Australia. ‘Ivan’ [...]
16
Feb, 2023
Addressing Complex Social Problems Using the Lens of Family Violence: Valuable Learning from the First Year of an Interdisciplinary Community of Practice
Addressing Complex Social Problems Using the Lens of Family Violence: Valuable Learning from the First Year of an Interdisciplinary Community of Practice
Abstract Summary
It is imperative that universities continue to explore innovations that support staff and student learning and pursue their mission to promote social responsibility and community service. Communities of Practice have been used to facilitate innovation and regenerate teaching and learning in tertiary contexts, including interdisciplinary collaborations around complex problems. This study describes the challenges and achievements of the first year of an interdisciplinary Community of Practice which aimed to create innovative approaches to teaching and learning about family and domestic violence, a complex social issue, inherently gendered, which receives little attention across the University discipline areas, despite the centrality of [...]