Publications by authors named "James J Lucas"

Article Synopsis
  • * Group model building (GMB) is a collaborative method currently underused in mental healthcare, but recognized for its potential to engage stakeholders in redesigning health services and aligning with a shift towards person-centered care.
  • * A study assessed GMB’s acceptability among mental health professionals and lived experience workers, gathering feedback to improve workshop design, which signifies a promising step towards evidence-based, inclusive mental healthcare and sets the stage for future reforms.
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Elimination of restrictive practices (physical/mechanical restraint and seclusion) from adult acute mental health care services has been demanded internationally for many decades. This study aimed to: (1) Identify priority issues in the elimination of and use of alternative approaches to restrictive practices (seclusion and physical/mechanical restraint) in rural/regional acute adult mental healthcare services, as told by mental healthcare service users and practitioners, (2) identify the community-based, system-level feedback loops that enhance or reduce the use of restrictive practices and viable alternatives and, (3) identify potential action areas to improve system structures to increase regional mental healthcare services' ability to eliminate restrictive practices and use alternative approaches. Group model building (GMB) workshops were held with a small group (n = 9) of mental healthcare practitioners and service users with lived experience of restrictive practice use.

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Background: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, Queer, and people of any other minority sexuality or gender identity (LGBTQ + or "Queer") are often marginalised from accessing quality primary healthcare (PHC) in their local community. This is largely due to Queerphobic, cis-heteronormative/sexist systems pathologising Queer life and identities. The study aims were to: (1) identify key priorities for increasing Queer people's access to quality PHC as told by Queer people themselves, (2) identify the feedback loops that reduce or support Queer people's access to quality PHC in non-metropolitan, regional/rural communities, and (3) identify potential action areas to improve system structures to increase Queer people's access to quality PHC.

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LGBTQ+ people are no stranger to loss and grief, particularly during times of pandemic such as the 1980s-90s HIV/AIDS pandemic and now, the COVID-19 pandemic. Current COVID-19 loss and grief research remains relatively silent on LGBTQ+ peoples' loss and grief experiences. The aim of this research was to conduct a qualitative evidence synthesis of LGBTQ+ people's COVID-19 loss and grief experiences reported in the literature.

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Life during the COVID-19 pandemic is uncertain, intense, and traumatic. At the same time, there is room for hope, inspiration, and meaning for social workers through mindfully connecting with energy-information flow as it influences our Safety, Emotions, Loss, and Future - S.E.

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Background: Standard Precautions have been demonstrated to limit infection transmission in the healthcare setting. Despite their mandated use, adherence by healthcare professionals remains suboptimal. A nursing curriculum embedding infection prevention and control is essential in equipping future healthcare professionals with the skills and knowledge to improve patient safety.

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As the COVID-19 pandemic accelerates, one public health response has been for governments to impose quarantine 'lockdowns' which require people to socially isolate. In this study, we explored the level of psychological distress that people experienced in social isolation and the factors which might ameliorate or exacerbate it. Two hundred and thirteen participants (69% female) with a mean age of 37.

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New wave therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy aim to cultivate people's psychological flexibility in order for them to live a satisfying life. Psychological flexibility has also a role in promoting mental health, which may mediate the relationship with life satisfaction. The aim of this study was to determine whether mental health mediates the effect of psychological flexibility on life satisfaction.

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