Publications by authors named "Laura K McCosker"

Intervention: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a commonly used treatment for severe psychiatric illness in older adults, including in the 'older old' population aged 80 years and above. However, there can sometimes be a reluctance to treat the 80+ year old age group with ECT due to medical comorbidities, frailty, and concerns about cognition.

Objective, Design, Setting, And Participants: This multi-site, longitudinal Australian study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of ECT in older old people compared with younger age groups.

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People who are homeless are at increased risk of COVID-19 infection, and of poorer associated outcomes. Delivering vaccinations to, and ensuring uptake of multiple doses in, people who are homeless is complex. Financial incentives may improve vaccination uptake, particularly in people who have not received routine vaccinations previously, though evidence about the effect of incentives is limited and variable.

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People who are homeless are disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and by government responses to the pandemic. This study maps the perceptions of homelessness service workers in Australia, about the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and government responses to it on people who are homeless. An electronic survey was distributed to homelessness service across Australia in June/July 2020, following Australia's 'first wave' of COVID-19.

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Article Synopsis
  • Homeless individuals face higher rates of vaccine-preventable diseases, including COVID-19, and have worse health outcomes, making vaccination delivery complicated.
  • A systematic review analyzed strategies to improve vaccination rates in the homeless population, examining 23 articles on different vaccination approaches.
  • Successful strategies included convenient vaccination locations, use of nurses, immediate vaccinations irrespective of prior history, longer clinic hours, staff training, promotion, no costs to individuals, and collaboration with the homeless community.
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Background: There is little published research about managers' views about implementing and embedding workplace health promotion interventions.

Objective: To shed light on research-to-practice challenges in implementing workplace health promotion interventions in the Australian road transport industry.

Methods: In this Participatory Action Research project, managers from small-to-midsized companies in the Australian road transport industry were asked their views about enablers and barriers to implementing nutrition and physical activity interventions in their workplace.

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Background: Despite many Australian universities introducing smoke-free policies on campus, there is little information about staff and students understanding of smoking on campus in the context of the implementation of a smoke-free policy.

Objective: This research explores the qualitative views of university staff and students about smoking on campus during the implementation of a smoke-free policy.

Methods: In 2016, an electronic survey was distributed to all current staff and students of a large university in Queensland, Australia during the implementation of a smoke-free policy.

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Truck drivers are at increased risk of diet- and physical activity-related chronic diseases. Despite this, there is a paucity of data about Australian truck drivers' diet and physical activity behaviors. A multiple choice and short response survey was distributed to truck drivers attending an Australian Truck Show.

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Background: In 2009, the National Hand Hygiene Initiative (NHHI) was implemented in hospitals across Australia with the aim of improving hand hygiene practices and reducing healthcare-associated infections. Audits conducted post-implementation showed the lowest rates of compliance with hand hygiene practices are among operational staff including hospital cleaners. There is limited information about hand hygiene issues in hospital cleaners to inform development of evidence-based interventions to improve hand hygiene compliance in this group.

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Background: Workplace health interventions incorporating qualitative and quantitative components (mixed methods) within a Participatory Action Research approach can increase understanding of contextual issues ensuring realistic interventions which influence health behaviour. Mixed methods research teams, however, face a variety of challenges at the methodological and expertise levels when designing actions and interventions. Addressing these challenges can improve the team's functionality and lead to higher quality health outcomes.

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Background: Workers in the road transport industry, and particularly truck drivers, are at increased risk of chronic diseases. Innovative health promotion strategies involving technologies such as social media may engage this "hard-to-reach" group. There is a paucity of evidence for the efficacy of social media technologies for health promotion in the Australian transport industry.

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