Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Advanced Technology Clinical Simulation Manikins in Improving the Capability of Australian Paramedics to Deliver High-Quality Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: Pre- and Postintervention Study.

Background: Emergency medical services attend out-of-hospital cardiac arrests all across Australia. Resuscitation by emergency medical services is attempted in nearly half of all cases. However, resuscitation skills can degrade over time without adequate exposure, which negatively impacts patient survival.

Knowledge of dementia: A cross-sectional survey of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members and health-care workers providing care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Objectives: To examine (1) the knowledge of dementia among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members and health-care workers providing care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; (2) the factors associated with higher levels of knowledge about dementia.

Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members were recruited through social media advertisements and an online market research platform.

The impact of early childhood education and care-based interventions on child physical activity, anthropometrics, fundamental movement skills, cognitive functioning, and social-emotional wellbeing: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This review assessed the effectiveness of ECEC-based interventions to improve child physical activity, and intervention impact on child weight-based anthropometrics, fundamental movement skills (FMS), cognitive functioning, and social-emotional wellbeing. Adverse effects and costs were assessed. Finch et al's 2014 systematic review was updated.

Rural-Urban Differences in Outcomes of Acute Cardiac Admissions in a Large Health Service.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality and residing in a rural and remote region is associated with an increased risk. The impact of rurality on CVD outcomes needs to be fully elucidated.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the difference in mortality, readmission within 30 days, total readmissions, survival, and total emergency department (ED) presentations following an index CVD admission among patients from rural or remote areas as compared to metropolitan areas.

The impact of brain cancer care coordinators on healthcare utilization and outcomes in patients with glioblastoma.

Background: Cancer care coordinators (CCCs) are recognized as having an important role in patients' and carers' cancer journey. However, there are no studies investigating the impact of CCCs on quantitative outcomes. We performed a retrospective cohort study investigating the impact of brain cancer care coordinators (BCCCs) on health service resource use and survival in patients with glioblastoma.

Spillover effects from a type 2 diabetes integrated model of care in 22,706 Australians: an open cohort stepped wedge trial.

Background: Many Australian adults are not receiving timely or effective diabetes management to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes related complications. Integrated care, a worldwide trend in healthcare reform, aims to reduce the fragmented delivery of health services and improve outcomes. This study aimed to test whether a specialist-led integrated model of care provided to a small subset of patients in general practices leads to spillover clinical improvements in all patients of the practice with type 2 diabetes.

Factorial randomised controlled trial to examine the potential effect of a text message-based intervention on reducing adolescent susceptibility to e-cigarette use: a study protocol.

Introduction: Adolescent e-cigarette use, globally and within Australia, has increased in recent years. In response, public health agencies have called for the development of education and communication programmes targeting adolescents. Despite such recommendations, few rigorous evaluations of such interventions currently exist.

The Effect of IVF Treatments for Infertility on Occupational Balance.

The utilization of assisted reproductive technologies (ART), including in vitro fertilization (IVF), has doubled in the past decade. The occupational balance of women undergoing infertility and its treatments is unknown. A qualitative study to investigate the occupational balance of women undergoing IVF for infertility was completed.

Trends in Health-Risk Behaviors and Psychological Distress among Australian First-Year University Students.

University students are recognized as a high-risk population group who experience greater rates of poor health outcomes and mental ill-health. Commencing university is recognized as a major life transition, where students experience new financial, academic, environmental, and social pressures that can cause changes in their normal behaviors. This study explored trends in health-risk behaviors and psychological distress in commencing university students over four survey years.

Discharge intervention to improve outcomes and web-based portal engagement after stroke and transient ischaemic attack: A randomised controlled trial.

Objectives: Web-based interventions may assist in post-discharge stroke care. However, strategies for maximising uptake and engagement are needed.

Aims: To determine the: (1) effectiveness of a discharge support intervention (EnableMe web-based portal and strategies to encourage use) in improving quality of life and reducing depression (primary outcome); anxiety and unmet needs of survivors of stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA); and (2) EnableMe use and acceptability.

The effect of different patient-based learning models on student perceptions of empathy, engagement, knowledge, and learning experience.

Background: Problem-based learning is used widely in pharmacy and medical programmes, incorporating realistic patient scenarios into regular teaching as a way of linking theory to practice. Routine case-based learning lessons ranges from real patient involvement, scripted patient scenarios, digital simulations (avatars) as well as through media such as Zoom. The existing literature has explored the extensive benefits of using patients in clinical education, but fewer studies have directly compared the efficacy of each model as learning tools.

Assessing the impact of a cleaning programme on environmental hygiene in labour and neonatal wards: an exploratory study in The Gambia.

Background: Effective surface cleaning in hospitals is crucial to prevent the transmission of pathogens. However, hospitals in low- and middle-income countries face cleaning challenges due to limited resources and inadequate training.

Methods: We assessed the effectiveness of a modified TEACH CLEAN programme for trainers in reducing surface microbiological contamination in the newborn unit of a tertiary referral hospital in The Gambia.

Development of a Reliable and Valid Survey Instrument to Measure Nurses' Health Behaviors Towards an Infectious Disease.

The purpose of this study is to describe the process for developing a reliable and valid survey instrument guided by the protection motivation theory (PMT) to evaluate nurses' health behaviors toward an infectious disease such as Ebola. The instrument was developed and tested through a systematic process that included a literature review, focus group, validity testing, and reliability testing. The outcome variable, , contained two elements, determined by principal component analysis.

What care do people with dementia receive at the end of life? Lessons from a retrospective clinical audit of deaths in hospital and other settings.

Background: The need for better end-of-life care for people with dementia has been acknowledged. Existing literature suggests that people dying with dementia have less access to palliative care, yet little is known about the care provided to people with dementia at the end of life. This study aimed to establish evidence related to end-of-life care for people dying with dementia in hospital compared to other settings.

The Effectiveness of Strategies to Improve User Engagement With Digital Health Interventions Targeting Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Overweight and Obesity: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Digital health interventions (DHIs) are effective in improving poor nutrition, physical inactivity, overweight and obesity. There is evidence suggesting that the impact of DHIs may be enhanced by improving user engagement. However, little is known about the overall effectiveness of strategies on engagement with DHIs.

Oestradiol implants for gender-affirming hormone therapy: an observational study of serum oestradiol levels and consumer survey.

Background: Custom-compounded subcutaneous implants are being used widely in Australia for gender-affirming hormone therapy. However, there is no published literature regarding their use for this purpose.

Methods: Electronic medical records were audited for consecutive clients who received oestradiol implants April 2019-November 2022 in gender clinics held within Hunter New England Health District in New South Wales, Australia.

Colorectal Adenocarcinoma in a 35-year-old Female with No Germline Mutations.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer to cause death in the world. Despite the recent change in age from 50 to 45 in some societies' recommendations for CRC screening, its incidence is increasing in patients under 50 years. We present a case of a 35-year-old female with no family history of CRC who presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain, vomiting, and obstipation and was found to have sporadic obstructing transverse colon adenocarcinoma.

Understanding Attrition in Text-Based Health Promotion for Fathers: Survival Analysis.

Background: Web-based interventions targeting parents with health and parenting support frequently report high rates of attrition. The SMS4dads text messaging program, developed in Australia, has delivered texts to over 10,000 fathers. The brief text messages, which are sent 3 times per week from 16 weeks of gestation to 48 weeks after birth, include regular reminders that participants can leave the program by texting back "STOP" to any message.

Evaluation of Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM) in people with advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with immunotherapies or targeted therapies: protocol for a single-arm, mixed-methods pilot study.

Introduction: People with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with immunotherapies (IT) or targeted therapies (TT) may have improved outcomes in a subset of people who respond, raising unique psychological concerns requiring specific attention. These include the need for people with prolonged survival to reframe their life plans and tolerate uncertainty related to treatment duration and prognosis. A brief intervention for people with advanced cancer, Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM), could help people treated with IT or TT address these concerns.

Trajectories and Predictors of Raised State Anxiety Among Outpatients Who Have Undergone Medical Imaging Procedures.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of raised state anxiety before and after medical imaging procedures, the prevalence of state anxiety trajectories, and factors associated with postprocedural raised state anxiety.

Methods: A prospective survey was administered to outpatients undergoing elective medical imaging procedures (CT, radiography, MRI, ultrasound, angiography, or fluoroscopy) recruited from one center. Participants completed a self-report survey preprocedure (time 1) and postprocedure (time 2).

Long-term exposure to low concentrations of air pollution and decline in lung function in people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: Evidence from Australia.

Background And Objective: Little is known about the association between ambient air pollution and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in areas with lower levels of exposure. We aimed to investigate the impact of air pollution on lung function and rapid progression of IPF in Australia.

Methods: Participants were recruited from the Australian IPF Registry (n = 570).

Challenges and solutions to cancer-related financial toxicity according to Australian health professionals: qualitative results from a national survey.

Purpose: To qualitatively explore Australian healthcare professionals' perspectives on how to improve the care and management of cancer-related financial toxicity, including relevant practices, services, and unmet needs.

Methods: We invited healthcare professionals (HCP) who currently provide care to people with cancer within their role to complete an online survey, which was distributed via the networks of Australian clinical oncology professional associations/organisations. The survey was developed by the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia's Financial Toxicity Working Group and contained 12 open-ended items which we analysed using descriptive content analysis and NVivo software.

Online mental health screening for rural fathers over the perinatal period.

Objective: To determine the feasibility of identifying distressed fathers in rural areas of NSW via a 'light touch' support program (SMS4dads).

Design: A retrospective observational study using self-reported distress and routinely captured help-seeking behaviour over a 14-month period (September 2020-December 2021) comparing rural and urban fathers.

Setting: Rural and urban Local Health Districts in NSW.