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)

9
Dec, 2024
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants admitted to the Hunter New England neonatal intensive care unit, 2016-2021: a retrospective medical record audit
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants admitted to the Hunter New England neonatal intensive care unit, 2016-2021: a retrospective medical record audit
Abstract Summary
In Australia, 24.4% of newborn Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander infants were admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) or special care nurseries during 2022, compared with 16.3% of non‐Indigenous infants.1 For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culture is a protective factor for strong health and wellbeing,2 but neonatal care can disrupt usual parent–infant care and cultural care practices. Understanding the characteristics of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families receiving neonatal care is important for supporting their needs. Routinely collected national and state data do not typically provide detailed information about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants admitted to [...]
15
Nov, 2024
Financial implications of unpaid clinical placements for allied health, dentistry, medical, and nursing students in Australia: a scoping review with recommendations for policy, research, and practice
Financial implications of unpaid clinical placements for allied health, dentistry, medical, and nursing students in Australia: a scoping review with recommendations for policy, research, and practice
Abstract Summary
Abstract Background Investing in allied health, dentistry, medical, and nursing undergraduate and postgraduate qualifying education is critical to meet a growing demand on global health care systems. Clinical placements are an integral component of qualifying training and are conventionally unpaid. Widespread economic challenges, attributed to a post-COVID-19 pandemic recovery era and global unrest, have led to growing economic hardship for populations, even in high-income countries like Australia. Allied health, dentistry, medical, and nursing undergraduate and postgraduate students undertaking unpaid clinical placements are not immune from these stressors, which has implications for education providers, ageing populations, the future health care system, [...]
1
Nov, 2024
Influences on improved confidence among allied health students in working with Australian Indigenous people during a rural placement: a pre-post survey study
Influences on improved confidence among allied health students in working with Australian Indigenous people during a rural placement: a pre-post survey study
Abstract Summary
Abstract Background Together with addressing social determinants of health, culturally safe healthcare provision is essential for closing the health outcomes gap experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) Australians. Rural placements potentially provide students of the health professions with opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills regarding cultural safety. We used rural placements data systematically collected from allied health students, including commencement- and end-of-placement questionnaire responses, to investigate the determinants of confidence in working with Indigenous people. Methods The study comprised data from all students who provided survey data at both commencement and end of their first placement directly [...]
1
Nov, 2024
Collaborations between health servicesand educational institutions to developresearch capacity in health services and healthservice staff: a systematic scoping review
Collaborations between health servicesand educational institutions to developresearch capacity in health services and healthservice staff: a systematic scoping review
Abstract Summary
AbstractBackground Participation of health service staff in research improves health outcomes and adherence to clinicalguidelines. To increase research participation, many health services seek to build research capacity which adds tothe development of individual and organisational skills and abilities in order to conduct health research. Numerousapproaches to research capacity building have been trialed with inter- and intra-institutional, or university-health service collaborative approaches being frequently described strategies. University-health service researchcollaborations have potential for high impact and mutual benefit, by harnessing respective strengths across bothorganisations. However, the range and scope of research capacity building approaches, including their relative valueand success have not been [...]
11
Oct, 2024
Barriers and facilitators to women’s access to sexual and reproductive health services in rural Australia: a systematic review
Barriers and facilitators to women’s access to sexual and reproductive health services in rural Australia: a systematic review
Abstract Summary
Abstract Background Accessing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in rural Australia presents complex challenges that negatively impact women’s health and exacerbate health inequities across the life course. This systematic review synthesises evidence on the barriers and facilitators to women’s access to SRH services in rural Australia, considering both supply and demand dimensions. Methods We systematically searched peer-reviewed literature published between 2013 and 2023. Search terms were derived from three major topics: (1) women living in rural Australia; (2) spatial or aspatial access to SRH services; and (3) barriers or facilitators. We adopted the “best fit” approach to framework synthesis [...]
24
Sep, 2024
A scoping review of coaching in occupational therapy: Mapping methods, populations and outcomes
A scoping review of coaching in occupational therapy: Mapping methods, populations and outcomes
Abstract Summary
Abstract Introduction Coaching is proposed as a core enabling skill of occupational therapy and increasingly suggested for a diverse range of health populations. In recent years, research on coaching has proliferated, emerging from within and outside of occupational therapy. Yet, concern has been raised about the absence of theoretical underpinning and diversity of descriptions of coaching in occupational therapy, as well as low-quality evidence supporting its effectiveness. The aim of this study is to map the use of coaching by occupational therapists from 2007 to 2022 to identify the populations, settings and outcomes it is applied to, differences between coaching [...]
13
Sep, 2024
Community-based dementia risk management and prevention program for Aboriginal Australians (DAMPAA): a randomised controlled trial study protocol
Community-based dementia risk management and prevention program for Aboriginal Australians (DAMPAA): a randomised controlled trial study protocol
Abstract Summary
Abstract Introduction Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the First Peoples of Australia. Up to 45% of dementia in these populations is due to potentially modifiable risk factors. The Dementia Prevention and Risk Management Program for Aboriginal Australians (DAMPAA) is an Aboriginal Health Practitioner led programme that aims to reduce cognitive decline and functional impairment in older Aboriginal people. Methods Design: DAMPAA is a multisite, randomised controlled trial aiming to deliver and evaluate a culturally appropriate risk factor management programme. Population: Community-dwelling Aboriginal people aged 45–90 years. Intervention: Participants will be randomly assigned to either usual care (control) or to a [...]
24
Aug, 2024
The development of a quality assurance process for a rural work-integrated learning program
The development of a quality assurance process for a rural work-integrated learning program
Abstract Summary
The notion of what constitutes a high-quality work-integrated learning experience has received increasing attention in the literature, particularly over the past decade. To date, the definitions of high-quality workintegrated learning have been broad and there remains a need to understand how elements of quality can be operationalized, particularly in niche settings. This paper describes an approach to developing a high-quality work-integrated learning program drawn from the experiences of a team of tertiary academics in the field of rural health. The design approach and quality assurance methods of a rural work-integrated learning program are discussed, including some of the preliminary outcomes. [...]
23
Aug, 2024
Exploring the Sociodemographic and Health-Related Determinants of Telehealth Use Among a Cohort of Older Australians During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Repeated Cross-Sectional Study
Exploring the Sociodemographic and Health-Related Determinants of Telehealth Use Among a Cohort of Older Australians During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Repeated Cross-Sectional Study
Abstract Summary
Background:During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a rapid adoption of telehealth care services as a public health strategy to maintain access to essential health care. In Australia, there has been increasing optimism for the expansion of telehealth services. However, little is known about the patterns and determinants of telehealth adoption among older adults, with concerns that an expansion of telehealth services may only be of benefit to those who already have better access to health care. Objective:Leveraging data collected by The Sax Institute’s 45 and Up COVID Insights study between November 2020 and April 2022, the objective of this study [...]
21
Aug, 2024
Enablers and Barriers of Research Engagement Among Clinician Researchers: Nursing, Allied Health and Medical Professionals
Enablers and Barriers of Research Engagement Among Clinician Researchers: Nursing, Allied Health and Medical Professionals
Abstract Summary
Background: In response to the increasing involvement of nursing, allied health and medical professionals in research within clinical service roles, understanding the varying research capacities across public health institutions and professions is crucial. This study aims to explore the lived experiences of conducting research among nursing, allied health and medical health professionals within a tertiary public hospital setting in New South Wales (NSW). The focus is on identifying barriers and enablers to research engagement. Methods: Research active health professionals across nursing, allied health and medical professions were invited to participate in a semi-structured interview to discuss enablers and barriers experienced [...]