Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Allied Health University Education Programs: A Scoping Review.

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered the mass transition of tertiary education to virtual delivery or a hybrid learning approach. This scoping review aims to identify the nature and extent of the current literature on how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the allied health student education experience and the delivery of teaching and learning materials. A scoping review, performed following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, was conducted for standard databases and the grey literature published after 2019 that focused on allied health education.

Changing the focus: Facilitating engagement in physical activity for people living with mild dementia in a local community-Protocol for a pre-post mixed methods feasibility study.

This study aims to address and improve the low physical activity levels among people with mild dementia by implementing a novel shared decision-making and motivational support program, named "Changing the Focus". It will utilise a pre-post mixed methods approach, aiming to recruit 60 community living older people with mild dementia and their care-partners. The shared decision-making process will involve the person living with dementia, their care-partner, and a research therapist, using a purpose-designed discussion tool including factors such as preferred physical activities, health status, local opportunities and program accessibility.

Postural balance, mobility, and handgrip strength one year after hospitalization due to COVID-19.

Background: Symptoms such as impairment of postural balance, mobility and muscle strength can last up to 12 months post COVID-19 hospitalization, need to be better understood, as they can have repercussions in activities of daily living.

Research Question: What happens to postural balance, mobility, and handgrip strength of COVID-19 patients after hospitalization?

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted with patients of both sexes, aged ≥18, admitted to hospital diagnosed with COVID-19. Outcomes were assessed at 1, 4, 6, and 12 months post-discharge, including: postural balance - Brief-Balance Evaluation Systems Test, mobility - Timed "Up & Go" Test, and handgrip strength - dynamometry.

Out-of-hospital paramedic interactions with people living with dementia: a scoping review.

Background: Dementia encompasses neurodegenerative disorders that account for a global estimated healthcare expenditure of 1.3 trillion US dollars. In Australia, one in 12 people aged ≥65 has a diagnosis of dementia and it is the second leading cause of death.

Convergent validity of two adult self-report sensory scales: Comparing the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile and the Sensory Processing Measure 2-Adult Form.

Introduction: Occupational therapists use standardised scales and measures to assess an individual's sensory processing factors. To date, few studies have investigated the correlations between the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (A/ASP) and the Sensory Processing Measure 2-Adult Form (SPM-2-Adult). The aim of the project is to investigate the association between the sensory processing factors measured by the A/ASP and SPM-2-Adult when completed by the same group of adult participants, with an additional research question investigating whether any significant differences existed between sensory processing scores based on participants' self-reported gender identity.

Pharmacist-prescriber collaborative models of care for opioid use disorder: an overview of recent research.

Purpose Of Review: Collaborative models of care where pharmacists work alongside physicians have been developed for a range of physical health conditions, with benefits including improved patient outcomes and increased access to ongoing care. Opioid agonist treatment (methadone and buprenorphine) is a clinically effective and cost-effective treatment for opioid use disorder that is under-utilized in many countries due to a shortage of prescribers. In recent years, there has been increased interest in the development of collaborative models that utilize pharmacists to overcome barriers to treatment.

Convergent validity between the school-age versions of the Sensory Processing Measure 2 (SPM2) and the Sensory Profile 2 (SP2): A pilot study.

Introduction: The Sensory Processing Measure 2 (SPM2) and the Sensory Profile 2 (SP2) are two sensory processing scales often used by occupational therapists. The SPM2 and SP2 both claim to assess aspects of children's sensory processing. This cross-sectional study examined the convergent validity of the SPM2-Home Form (SPM2-HF) and Child SP2 for school-aged neurotypical children.

Participation experiences of young people with cerebral palsy in key life situations: A qualitative study.

Aims: To explore the participation experiences of adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy (CP) in key life situations of young adulthood and investigate the impact of a government-funded, disability insurance scheme on participation and health service access.

Method: We conducted a qualitative descriptive study using semi-structured interviews. Sixteen young people with CP (aged 16-30 years; mean age = 24 years 4 months) participated.

96-week retention in treatment with extended-release subcutaneous buprenorphine depot injections among people with opioid dependence: Extended follow-up after a single-arm trial.

Background: The most recent formulation of buprenorphine treatment is extended-release depot injections (BUP-XR) that are administered subcutaneously by health care professionals. This study aimed to observe treatment outcomes of BUP-XR delivered in standard practice during a 96-week follow-up period in a community setting.

Methods: This study is an extension of the CoLAB study, a prospective single-arm, multicentre, open label trial (N=100, 7 sites in Australia) among people with opioid dependence who received monthly injections of BUP-XR to evaluate the retention in treatment.

Scar massage as an intervention for post-surgical scars: A practice survey of Australian hand therapists.

Introduction: Scar massage is a commonly used treatment in hand therapy. The current empirical evidence that supports it is disparate and of variable quality, with no established effective dosage and method proposed. This study aimed to identify the current practice among Australian hand therapists using massage as an intervention for scarring following surgery to the hand and upper limb.

Prevalence and variability of restrictive care practice use (physical restraint, seclusion and chemical restraint) in adult mental health inpatient settings: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: There is a growing consensus to reduce the use of restrictive care practices in mental health settings to minimise the physical and psychological complications for patients. However, data regarding restrictive care practice use and factors contributing to variations in the proportion estimates has not previously been synthesised.

Aims: This study aimed to synthesise evidence on (1) the pooled proportions of physical restraint, seclusion or chemical restraint in adult mental health inpatients and (2) sources of variability in these proportion estimates.

The Need for Occupational Therapy Evidence-Based Education.

Knowledge of evidence-based-education principles is essential for occupational therapy academics and fieldwork supervisors to ensure the teaching and learning methods and strategies being used are informed, targeted, cost effective, contemporary, and worthwhile. This paper defines evidence-based-education is and how it can be applied in the context of occupational therapy student academic and fieldwork education. The factors that impact occupational therapy evidence-based education in the university sector are introduced which have the potential to ensure that students obtain a quality, meaningful, value-for-money, and high impact education in both academic and fieldwork environments.

The experiences of older adults with cognitive impairment in using falls prevention alarms in hospital: A qualitative descriptive study.

Introduction: Bed and chair sensor alarms are commonly used for falls prevention in hospitals, despite questionable efficacy. Research analysing older adults' experiences of alarms is scarce, and adults with cognitive impairment are consistently excluded.

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore how older adults with cognitive impairment perceive and experience falls prevention alarms in hospital.

The Sensory Processing Measure - Second Edition: A Critical Review and Appraisal.

This paper aims to provide an overview and critique of the newly updated Sensory Processing Measure - second edition (SPM-2) to assist clinicians in understanding its strengths and limitations and in selecting an appropriate sensory processing scale that best meets their clients' needs. Using four established research methodological quality critique tools, the SPM-2's family of age-related versions was evaluated by administering the tools separately and discussed their scoring and findings to reach a consensus on all ratings. The tools identified several strengths and weaknesses of the SPM-2.

Measuring what matters in healthcare: a practical guide to psychometric principles and instrument development.

The provision of quality healthcare relies on scales and measures with robust evidence of their psychometric properties. Using measurement instruments with poor reliability, validity, or feasibility, or those that are not appropriate for the target diagnostic group or construct/dimension under consideration, may be unfavorable for patients, unproductive, and hinder empirical advancement. Resources from the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) group can assist in identifying and developing psychometrically sound measures.

Reliability and clinical utility of a novel telehealth-based goniometry approach to measure range of motion of the digits of the hand.

Background: Range of motion (ROM) is an outcome measure commonly used when treating acute and chronic hand injuries and conditions. Increased adoption of telehealth service provision in hand therapy practice, influenced by the advent of COVID-19, has led to the need for a valid and reliable approach to measure the range of motion of the digits of the hand when providing hand therapy services using telehealth.

Purpose: To determine if performing manual goniometry during a livestream teleconsultation is reliable and clinically useful to measure the range of motion of the fifth digit when providing hand therapy services using telehealth.

A Student-Centric Evaluation of a Program Addressing Prevention of Gender-Based Violence in Three African Countries.

Studies investigating the effectiveness of school-related gender-based violence prevention programs seldom report on the extent to which students themselves value and recommend such programs. Yet, along with evidence about effectiveness in relation to shifts in knowledge, attitudes, or intentions, student-valuing is a significant indicator that the programs can make a positive contribution to students' lives. This mixed-method study analyses survey and focus group data collected from ninety-two schools in three African countries (Tanzania, Zambia, and Eswatini).

Single-dose pharmacokinetics and lung function of nebulized niclosamide ethanolamine in sheep.

Purpose: Niclosamide is approved as an oral anthelminthic, but its low oral bioavailability hinders its medical use requiring high drug exposure outside the gastrointestinal tract. An optimized solution of niclosamide for nebulization and intranasal administration using the ethanolamine salt has been developed and tested in a Phase 1 trial. In this study we investigate the pulmonary exposure of niclosamide following administration via intravenous injection, oral administration or nebulization.

The perceptions of healthcare practitioners on obesity management in Peninsular Malaysia: a cross-sectional survey.

Background: Practitioners' perceptions of patients with obesity and obesity management shape their engagement in obesity care delivery. This study aims to describe practitioners' perceptions, experiences and needs in managing patients with obesity, determine the extent of weight stigma among health practitioners, and identify the factors associated with negative judgment towards patients with obesity.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from May to August 2022 with health practitioners commonly involved in obesity management in Peninsular Malaysia, including doctors in primary care, internal medicine and bariatric surgery, and allied health practitioners.

Career intentions and satisfaction influences in early career Australian physiotherapists.

Background: The current workforce does not meet the demand for physiotherapy services in Australia. Future demand is predicted to expand driven primarily by the aging population. Previous research describes significant attrition and short career intentions of junior physiotherapists.

Building knowledge in opioid prescribing in post-operative treatment.

Introduction: Opioids prescribed in hospital are a key risk factor for harm in the community. This study aimed to gain an in-depth understanding of factors affecting post-operative opioid prescribing amongst clinicians using the capability, opportunity, motivation generate behaviour framework, more commonly known as COM-B.

Methods: Focus groups and semi-structured interviews were used to gain an in-depth understanding of factors affecting optimal practice when prescribing opioids for post-operative patients at discharge.

The Potential for Effect of a Six-Week Training Program for Gait Aid Use in Older People with Dementia with Unsteadiness of Gait: A Pilot Study.

This study examined the potential for effect of a six-week gait aid training program for people with dementia on spatiotemporal gait outcomes, perception of use, and falls with gait aid use. The program utilised four 30-min physiotherapy home visits, scheduled at weeks 1/2/3/6, and was enhanced by carer-supervised practice. Falls and the physiotherapist's clinical judgement of participants achieving safe gait aid use during and after the program were described.