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)

20
Jun, 2024
Preparing healthcare professional students for rural, regional and remote practice: demonstrating the effectiveness of an interprofessional simulation learning experience
Preparing healthcare professional students for rural, regional and remote practice: demonstrating the effectiveness of an interprofessional simulation learning experience
Abstract Summary
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 [...]
11
Jun, 2024
Providing microbiology education to rural nurses: A case study
Providing microbiology education to rural nurses: A case study
Abstract Summary
Objective: This case study assesses a microbiology and infection control education workshop delivered to rural nurses. The study assesses workshop value through changes in respondents’ self-assessed confidence using measures of microbiology knowledge, teaching, and best practice. Respondents also identified the aspects of the education perceived as most useful to their practice and barriers to implementing microbiology education in practice. Study design and methods: Pre- and post-workshop surveys were administered to the participants. The surveys used a 7-point ordinal scale to measure respondents’ confidence in explaining key concepts and their perception of the influence of such education opportunities on positive patient outcomes. Change [...]
27
May, 2024
Learning afforded to student paramedics in a rural health promotion activity
Learning afforded to student paramedics in a rural health promotion activity
Abstract Summary
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 [...]
15
May, 2024
Exploring Workforce Preferences of Allied Health Practitioners working in Telehealth in Australia
Exploring Workforce Preferences of Allied Health Practitioners working in Telehealth in Australia
Abstract Summary
In recent times there has been significant increase in the use of telehealth however, most workforce research to date has focused on the health practitioners’ experiences of telehealth. Little is known about the factors that may attract allied health practitioners to online therapy delivery and how this service model may impact on workforce recruitment and retention. Additionally, there are no studies that focus on organisations that exclusively use a telehealth service delivery approach. Therapy Connect, part of the Kinela Group, is a provider of allied health services solely via a telehealth service delivery model, working with allied health practitioners from [...]
29
Apr, 2024
Understanding What Older People Value in the Design of a Community-Based Healthy Ageing Program, a Qualitative Study
Understanding What Older People Value in the Design of a Community-Based Healthy Ageing Program, a Qualitative Study
Abstract Summary
Older people who are wanting to support their own ability to age well may benefit from attending community-based group programs. However, many of these programs are designed and implemented by health professionals without direct input from older people, which may limit the opportunity to ensure such programs are authentically meeting the needs of this population group. A qualitative approach, using an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), was undertaken with seven (six female and one male) participants, aged between 62 and 80 years to explore the experiences of participating in a pilot Ageing Well Program. Interviews were transcribed and analysed according to IPA [...]
18
Apr, 2024
Psychological interventions designed to reduce relocation stress for older people transitioning into permanent residential aged care: a systematic scoping review
Psychological interventions designed to reduce relocation stress for older people transitioning into permanent residential aged care: a systematic scoping review
Abstract Summary
Abstract Objectives This study aimed to identify and evaluate psychological interventions or strategies designed to reduce relocation stress in older people making the permanent transition into residential aged care. Method A scoping review following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) was conducted. An electronic search of nine databases and the search engine google scholar was completed in December 2022. Article screening and quality appraisal was undertaken independently by at least two reviewers. Results Eight full-text articles were included for review, from which four [...]
17
Apr, 2024
Decentralised clinical trials in rural Australia: Opportunities and challenges
Decentralised clinical trials in rural Australia: Opportunities and challenges
Abstract Summary
Aims To present opportunities and a model to redress the under-representation of rural communities and people in Australian clinical trials. Context Clinical trials are essential for building and understanding the health evidence base. The lack of representation of rural people in clinical trials is evident in other countries. Examining the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ANZCTR) suggests this is also the case in Australia. Approach We propose an approach that empowers rurally based academics and clinicians to co-design clinical trials and increase rural Australians’ participation in clinical trials to address this inequality of access. A case study of a [...]
16
Apr, 2024
Early career nurses’ self-reported influences and drawbacks for undertaking a rural graduate nursing program
Early career nurses’ self-reported influences and drawbacks for undertaking a rural graduate nursing program
Abstract Summary
Keywords nurse, workforce, rural health, employment, work location, social determinants of health Abstract Objective: To identify self-reported influences and drawbacks for early career nurses to work in a rural location. Background: The international shortage of rural nursing workforce is increasing. As a result, evidence that focuses on mechanisms to recruit early career nurses to these areas is important. This research focuses on the influences and drawbacks for early career nurses to undertake a rural graduate nursing program, aimed at providing evidence that can inform the design of rural nurse recruitment programs. Study design and methods: Manifest content analysis of open-ended questions in a [...]
15
Apr, 2024
Short waits, happy patients and expert care, moving basic musculoskeletal care from the emergency department to a physiotherapist-led diversion pathway
Short waits, happy patients and expert care, moving basic musculoskeletal care from the emergency department to a physiotherapist-led diversion pathway
Abstract Summary
Abstract Objective Patients with musculoskeletal conditions (MSKCs) are highly prevalent in ED. This project explores the impact of the pilot phase of a ‘diversion pathway’, which directed patients with MSKCs from the ED waiting room to an outpatient clinic led by advanced-scope physiotherapists. Methods A prospective intervention study comparing care outcomes between patients in the ‘diversion pathway’ with usual ED care. The characteristics of patients considered eligible and non-eligible are described. Results Between May and December 2022, 1099 patients were diverted. For diverted patients, mean length of stay (LOS) in ED was reduced by 110 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 99–120) [...]
4
Apr, 2024
This is why we are staying: Job satisfaction among Physiotherapists in the Kimberley region of Western Australia
This is why we are staying: Job satisfaction among Physiotherapists in the Kimberley region of Western Australia
Abstract Summary
Introduction The Kimberley region of Western Australia (WA) is classified by the Modified Monash Model as MM6 & 7 (‘Remote/Very Remote’). Many physiotherapists in the Kimberley are considered ‘rural generalists’ and require a diverse set of clinical and non-clinical skills to work successfully within this setting. Objective To understand physiotherapists’ perspectives regarding job satisfaction within the Kimberley region a ‘rural and remote’ areas of Australia. Design An exploratory case study approach examined physiotherapists’ job satisfaction in the Kimberley. Each participant completed a demographic survey and a one-on-one face-to-face interview lasting for approximately 60 minutes. Transcriptions were analysed and presented thematically. [...]