The New South Wales Allied Health Workplace Learning Study: barriers and enablers to learning in the workplace.

Background: Workplace learning refers to continuing professional development that is stimulated by and occurs through participation in workplace activities. Workplace learning is essential for staff development and high quality clinical care. The purpose of this study was to explore the barriers to and enablers of workplace learning for allied health professionals within NSW Health.

Medical students' experiences learning intimate physical examination skills: a qualitative study.

Background: Intimate physical examination skills are essential skills for any medical graduate to have mastered to an appropriate level for the safety of his or her future patients. Medical schools are entrusted with the complex task of teaching and assessing these skills for their students. The objectives of this study were to explore a range of medical students' experiences of learning intimate physical examination skills and to explore their perceptions of factors which impede or promote the learning of these skills.

'Perfect skin', the media and patients with skin disease: a qualitative study of patients with acne, psoriasis and atopic eczema.

The relationship of skin disease with societal ideals of beauty, and the role of the media in this relationship, has not previously been researched. The overall objective of this study was to explore the psychological effects of skin disease. The theme of the ideal of perfect skin and the role of the media in generating this ideal arose via an inductive study methodology and was explored in the context of respondents' psychological morbidity.

Sex and the skin: a qualitative study of patients with acne, psoriasis and atopic eczema.

Quantitative questionnaire-based research has suggested a considerable effect of skin disease on the sexual life of sufferers. In this study, we explored the effects of acne, psoriasis and atopic eczema upon sexual functioning and sexual relationships in the context of a wider exploration of the psychological sequelae of these diseases. We employed a qualitative methodology employing in-depth semi-structured interviews and involving thematic analysis and constant comparison.

A review and recommendations for optimal outcome measures of anxiety, depression and general distress in studies evaluating psychosocial interventions for English-speaking adults with heterogeneous cancer diagnoses.

Objective: The objective of this paper is to inform choice of optimal patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) of anxiety, depression and general distress for studies evaluating psychosocial interventions for English-speaking adults with heterogenous cancer diagnoses.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted to identify all PROMs used to assess anxiety, depression and general distress in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of psychosocial interventions for people with cancer published between 1999 and May 2009. Candidate PROMs were evaluated for content, evidence of reliability and validity, clinical meaningfulness, comparison data, efficiency, ease of administration, cognitive burden and track record in identifying treatment effects in RCTs of psychosocial interventions.

Patients with skin disease and their relationships with their doctors: a qualitative study of patients with acne, psoriasis and eczema.

Objective: To explore the experiences of patients with acne, psoriasis or atopic eczema in their relationships with their treating doctors.

Design: Qualitative study, using semi-structured interviews conducted between January 2004 and April 2005, thematic analysis and modified grounded theory methodology.

Setting And Participants: Participants were patients with acne, psoriasis or atopic eczema recruited from urban general practices and urban dermatology practices.

The psychological sequelae of psoriasis: results of a qualitative study.

Psoriasis is a common condition with recognised psychological comorbidity in specialist practice. The objective of this study was to investigate the psychological comorbidities in psoriasis in patients from general (family) practices and specialist dermatology practices, using a qualitative methodology. This was a qualitative study, utilising semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis.

Experiences of appearance-related teasing and bullying in skin diseases and their psychological sequelae: results of a qualitative study.

Acne, psoriasis and atopic eczema are common diseases and have been consistently associated with adverse psychological sequelae including stigmatization. Being teased on the basis of appearance has been associated with psychiatric morbidity in children and adolescents. The objective of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of teasing and bullying in patients with acne, psoriasis and eczema, and the role of appearance-related teasing and bullying as mediators of psychological morbidity in these patients.

Rural obesity, healthy weight and perceptions of risk: struggles, strategies and motivation for change.

Objective: To explore risk logics, embodiment (the interplay between the physical, social and subjective body) and issues related to adult obesity in remote New South Wales.

Design: Qualitative multiple-method design using semistructured interviews and visual aids (food and exercise palm cards) to explore the saliency of food and exercise options. A one-page demographic survey incorporated self-reported body mass index.

Mobilising a rural community to lose weight: impact evaluation of the WellingTonne Challenge.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the WellingTonne Challenge.

Design: Before-after study.

Setting: The National Action Agenda for the prevention and control of obesity in Australia identified community action and development as a key theme.

Using problem-based learning in public health service based training.

Objectives: This study explored the suitability and benefits of problem-based learning (PBL) in competency-based postgraduate public health training. The PBL was delivered within a rural retreat and included site visits.

Methods: Qualitative semistructured interviews with trainee public health officers and key informants.

Psychological sequelae of acne vulgaris: results of a qualitative study.

Objective: To investigate the psychological sequelae of acne vulgaris.

Design: Qualitative study using a grounded-theory approach.

Setting: General practices and specialty dermatology practices in Newcastle, Australia.

Complementary and alternative medicine therapies in acne, psoriasis, and atopic eczema: results of a qualitative study of patients' experiences and perceptions.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies in patients with acne, psoriasis, or atopic eczema and the attitudes about CAM of these patients.

Design: This was a qualitative study, utilizing semistructured interviews and thematic analysis.

Setting: Patients were recruited from the practices of dermatologists and general practitioners in a noncapital Australian city.

Couples' experiences of postnatal depression: a framing analysis of cultural identity, gender and communication.

Difficulties in communication have been associated with fathers' perceived lack of support for mothers suffering postnatal depression (PND). This paper investigates why the communication of the experience of PND is so difficult and considers how these difficulties might be linked, in part, to the diagnostic process. The study explores, through in-depth interviews, how six Australian couples talked about the new mothers' experience of mild to moderate PND.