Influence of mouse position on muscular activity in the neck, shoulder and arm in computer users.

Anecdotal reports of shoulder and arm discomfort related to computer mouse use are common. The aim of this study of ten subjects was to examine the influence of mouse position, relative to the keyboard, on shoulder and arm muscular activity and working posture. Surface electromyography and the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment were used to determine the differences in muscle activity and posture during an editing task in each of three mouse positions.

Functional status after childbirth in an Australian sample.

Objective: To investigate changes in functional status after childbirth from 6 weeks to 6 months post-delivery.

Design: Prospective, longitudinal survey.

Setting: Maternal-child health centers and immunization clinics in regional New South Wales, Australia.

Alternative techniques for the clinical assessment of foot pronation.

Clinical measurement is a fundamental component of podiatric biomechanics. However, recent research has seriously questioned the reliability and validity of the commonly used approaches to clinical measurement of foot posture. A reevaluation of foot-morphology measurement is therefore warranted.

Treating grouped data as continuous in alcohol consumption measures.

In quantity-frequency methods used for self-report measurement of alcohol intake (or other exposures), respondents mark the appropriate ranges, e.g. '5 to 8 drinks', '5 or 6 times per week'.

Health outcomes by self-report: validity of the SF-36 among Australian hospital patients.

This paper examines the performance of the SF-36 as a self-reported outcome measure in a diverse sample of Australian hospital in-patients. The data derive from the Care Continuum and Health Outcomes Project with a total of 2088 randomly selected patients, yielding a response rate of 80%. Distributions, completion rates and, in particular, correlates of measures were used to investigate the validity of the SF-36 according to clinical and psychometric criteria.

Attitudes and participation of registered nurses in continuing professional education in New South Wales, Australia.

This empirical study explored the attitudes and participation of registered nurses (RNs) in New South Wales (NSW), Australia in continuing professional education (CPE). A random sample of 500 RNs from across NSW was surveyed. Three hundred and forty seven (69%) responses were received.

The multicultural workplace: comfort, safety and migrant nurses.

The changing composition of Australian society has resulted in the reality of a multicultural workplace. With this comes the need to examine issues related to cultural wellbeing within an occupational setting. Migrant women nurses from non-English speaking backgrounds participated in this phenomenological study, which examined their experiences working as nurses within the New South Wales health care system.

Increasing attendance at immunisation clinics: lessons from a trial program that failed.

Previous studies suggested that the use of a baby-enrolment and reminder system for early childhood immunisation increased public immunisation clinic attendance. It was decided to run a trial to assess the effects of introducing a baby-enrolment program on attendances at local government immunisation clinics. Enrolment leaflets were distributed to each mother of a new child in six areas of greater Sydney while the mother was in the postnatal ward of the local hospital.