19683 research outputs found
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“You’ve Got to Connect with the People”: The Meaning of, Preferences for, and Involvement in Social Participation for Older People Living in Nursing Homes in Victoria, Australia
No full textThis research sought to explore the meaning of, preferences for, and involvement in social participation for older people living in nursing homes in Victoria, Australia. A qualitative descriptive study using semistructured interviews with twenty older people living in four geographically and ethnically diverse nursing homes was conducted between 2020 and 2022. Interview transcripts were thematically analysed. All the older people had been very socially active before moving into aged care and had participated in leisure and volunteering activities. Five themes emerged from the data analysis related to the meaning of, preferences for, and involvement in activities for social participation. The meaning of social participation among these older people varied. Some participated in group activities to keep active and busy, while others were content with interests of their own. Social participation in group activities provided older people with a connection to others and assisted in maintaining existing, or developing new, relationships. However, the ability to participate in group activities that offered opportunities for social participation was limited by age-related decline for some older people. The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions constrained activities, which provided opportunities for social participation for some older people living in nursing homes, but not all. These perspectives highlight the need for individualised person-centred opportunities for social participation in nursing homes. Group activities should enable older people to remain active and facilitate social connections that provide meaning and purpose. Respect for individual choice is important, as older people are not a homogeneous group, and opportunities to pursue individual activities should be facilitated.</p
Equine-assisted services for people living with dementia: a systematic review
No full textBACKGROUND: Dementia has a significant impact on the social, physical, and psychological wellbeing of people living with dementia, their families and society. Animal-assisted interventions can have positive effects on the health and wellbeing of people living with dementia. Equine-assisted services are animal-assisted non-pharmacological interventions which have improved the health and wellbeing of diverse populations. The impact of participating in equine-assisted services on the health and wellbeing of people with dementia is unclear. A systematic review was conducted to synthesise evidence investigating the effects of participating in equine-assisted services on the health and wellbeing of people living with dementia. DESIGN: Systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. METHODS: The databases CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Web of Science were searched for any research published prior to 14 June 2023. Peer-reviewed publications in the English language utilizing methods deriving quantitative and/or qualitative data were eligible. Methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Findings from studies were synthesised using a deductive approach. RESULTS: Of the 223 articles screened, six met the inclusion criteria: four quantitative and two qualitative studies. The six studies represent four separate equine interventions. Studies were of moderate to strong quality. Participants were people living with dementia (n = 44, mean age range 70-83 years), dementia care partners (n = 5, mean age 58), and equine-assisted services providers (n = 5). Interventions varied in duration, activities conducted, outcomes measured, and measurement tools used. Studies found a favourable impact of participating in equine-assisted services on the neuropsychiatric symptoms and quality of life of people living with dementia. Participating in equine-assisted services improved well-being, functional abilities, social participation, and communication, while also having a positive effect on social, emotional, and behavioural outcomes, and physical health. CONCLUSIONS: The limited but high-quality literature investigating the impact of equine-assisted services among people living with dementia suggests that equine-assisted services can have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of people living with dementia. Additional robust studies contributing to the evidence base are warranted; such studies can support the development of programs and further elucidate the impact of participation.</p
Alpine shrub leaf litter decomposition across mountain summits in south-eastern Australia
No full textClimate warming has been linked to shrub expansion in alpine regions and the decomposition of shrub leaf litter and subsequent release of nutrients has been proposed as a mechanism to facilitate shrub growth. We quantified the rate of alpine shrub leaf litter decomposition (measured as mass loss) over the course of a year in four locally occurring alpine shrub species that grow across four alpine summits. We measured a range of environmental attributes at the study sites, and via a standard litter bag approach, we evaluated the effects of site elevation, the depth of litter bag deployment, the removal time, the species‐specific leaf area (SLA) and the accumulated growing degree days at each site on the total per cent and rate of litter decomposition (as mass loss). The higher elevation sites were cooler with more snow days than the lower sites. Soil moisture was higher early in the snow‐free season at the higher elevation sites. Linear mixed effect models indicated no significant effects of elevation on total and rate of litter decomposition, but there were significant positive effects of deployment depth and removal time and a significant negative effect of species SLA. There were significant negative relationships between the rate of decomposition and growing degree days, as decomposition slows through time. The modelled mean rates of shrub litter decomposition for each species indicated that there would be more and faster decomposition if winter and early spring conditions were to persist for a whole year, compared with the modelled rates of average annual conditions persisting for a whole year. Our results indicate that Australian alpine shrub litter decomposes readily, with the highest rates of decomposition occurring soon after deployment, which in this study was after a snowy winter at the start of the growing season in spring.</p
Interactions between Design Innovation and Educational Change in Non-Western Schools
No full textIn Western countries, school systems have employed modern school building designs as symbols for progressive and innovative educational change. Yet, how does this design symbolism change teaching and learning? To address this, we examine the challenges and complexities of innovative school design by drawing on case studies of preschool and primary-level schools from non-Western cultural contexts. A conceptual framework that links social, organisational, cultural, and material elements is used to analyse two new schools in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Uruguay that used modern school designs as a basis for changes to local pedagogical approaches. Our findings suggest that school building design is not able, by itself, to drive educational changes; and that there are inherent challenges involved in its alignment with localities in terms of staff cultures, student dynamics, and school organisation. Special focus is given to the design of the new school facilities, and the voice of educators in this process. The conclusion points out the need for an adaptive alignment between non-Western educational conventions and introduced education and design concepts
Educational content and strategies to support nurses from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds caring for patients considering voluntary assisted dying: The Australian experience
No full textObjectives: Drawing on findings from a qualitative study that aimed to explore the knowledge and attitudes of nurses from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds about voluntary assisted dying (VAD). The study also aimed to identify the strategies that assist nurses in their readiness and preparation for exposure to VAD. This paper reports on the educational content and strategies that could assist nurses from CALD backgrounds to be better prepared when they encounter VAD requests. Background: Around the world, healthcare professionals have roles to play in caring for patients requesting voluntary assisted dying. Nurses, particularly those from diverse geographic and clinical settings, have voiced inadequate knowledge and understanding about voluntary assisted dying. Design: A qualitative descriptive approach was undertaken. Methods: Data collection involved one focus group and 16 in-depth interviews. A total of 21 nurses from CALD backgrounds were recruited from one Australian state. Thematic analysis was conducted to interpret the data. Findings: Nurses identified their knowledge gaps and specified the need for education and workplace training on VAD, its legal and ethical aspects, clarity on their role, communication techniques and how VAD intersects with their practice. They suggested various teaching strategies that could prepare nurses to work safely and confidently in a clinical environment where voluntary assisted dying is an option for patients. Conclusion: Given the high number of nurses from diverse backgrounds working in the Australian health sector, these nurses need to be fully prepared to care for patients requesting VAD
The increase in core body temperature in response to exertional-heat stress can predict exercise-induced gastrointestinal syndrome
No full textUtilizing metadata from existing exertional and exertional-heat stress studies, the study aimed to determine if the exercise-associated increase in core body temperature can predict the change in exercise-induced gastrointestinal syndrome (EIGS) biomarkers and exercise-associated gastrointestinal symptoms (Ex-GIS). Endurance-trained individuals completed 2 h of running exercise in temperate (21.2-30.0°C) to hot (35.0-37.2°C) ambient conditions (n = 132 trials). Blood samples were collected pre- and post-exercise to determine the change in gastrointestinal integrity biomarkers and systemic inflammatory cytokines. Physiological and thermoregulatory strain variables were assessed every 10–15 min during exercise. The strength of the linear relationship between maximal (M-Tre) and change (Δ Tre) in rectal temperature and EIGS variables was determined via Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients. While the strength of prediction was determined via simple and multiple linear regression analyses dependent on screened EIGS and Ex-GIS confounding factors. Significant positive correlations between Tre maximum (M-Tre) and change (Δ Tre) with I-FABP (rs = 0.434, p < 0.001; and rs = 0.305, p < 0.001; respectively), sCD14 (rs = 0.358, p < 0.001; and rs = 0.362, p < 0.001), systemic inflammatory response profile (SIR-Profile) (p < 0.001), and total Ex-GIS (p < 0.05) were observed. M-Tre and Δ Tre significantly predicted (adjusted R2) magnitude of change in I-FABP (R2(2,123)=0.164, p < 0.001; and R2(2,119)=0.058, p = 0.011; respectively), sCD14 (R2(2,81)=0.249, p < 0.001; and R2(2,77)=0.214, p < 0.001), SIR-Profile (p < 0.001), and total Ex-GIS (p < 0.05). Strong to weak correlations were observed between M-Tre and Δ Tre with plasma concentrations of I-FABP, sCD14, SIR-Profile, and Ex-GIS in response to exercise. M-Tre and Δ Tre can predict the magnitude of these EIGS variables and Ex-GIS in response to exercise
Does threat trigger prosociality? The relation between basic individual values, threat appraisals, and prosocial helping intentions during the COVID-19 pandemic
No full textProsociality is often considered as quintessential in coping with the threats of health emergencies. As previous research has suggested, prosocial behaviors are shaped by both dispositional factors and situational cues about the helping situation. In the present research, we investigated whether “bonding” types of prosociality, helping directed towards close others within one’s social network, and “bridging” types of prosociality, helping directed towards vulnerable people across group boundaries, are predicted by basic individual values and threat appraisals concerning COVID-19. During the pandemic, we conducted a cross-sectional study in the US and India (Ntotal = 954), using the Schwartz value inventory and a multifaceted measure of threat assessment to predict prosocial helping intentions. After controlling for other value and threat facets, self-transcendence values and threat for vulnerable groups uniquely predicted both bonding and bridging types of prosociality. Furthermore, threat for vulnerable groups partially mediated the effect of self-transcendence on prosocial helping intentions: People who endorsed self-transcendent values were particularly concerned by the effect of the pandemic on vulnerable groups, and thus willing to engage in prosocial behaviours to help those in need. Our findings support the idea that prosociality is stimulated by empathic concerns towards others in need and underline the importance for future research to consider the broad spectrum of threats appraised by people during health emergencies
Optimising Healthcare Communication for People with Aphasia in Hospital: Key Directions for Future Research
No full textPurpose of Review: People with aphasia and their healthcare workers have difficulty communicating, leaving people with aphasia at risk of poorer quality care, experiences and health outcomes. It is not yet known how best to optimise healthcare communication for this population. This literature review provides directions for future research regarding interventions aiming to optimise communication between healthcare workers and people with aphasia in hospital. Findings: This paper offers four key foci to consider when planning or evaluating interventions: (1) individual and (2) systems-level environmental factors must be targeted to facilitate successful implementation, (3) reliable and feasible outcome measures must be developed to measure communication change in actual clinical interactions and (4) studies must be designed and reported adequately to ensure replicable and comparable research. Summary: This paper provides direction for research on interventions to enhance patient-provider communication, and quality care for people with aphasia in hospital, to enable better participation and care outcomes for this population
Sexual satisfaction among people living with HIV in the era of biomedical prevention: enduring impacts of HIV-related stigma?
No full textAbstract: Background. People living with HIV (PLHIV) have historically faced a range of challenges negotiating satisfying sex lives in the context of virus transmission risks and HIV-related stigma. We examine the experience of sexual satisfaction among PLHIV in an era of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and undetectable=untransmissible (U=U)/treatment as prevention. Methods. Data are derived from HIV Futures 9, a cross-sectional survey of PLHIV in Australia conducted between December 2018 and May 2019. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with sexual satisfaction, including awareness of/engagement with U=U and PrEP as well as experiences that denote HIVrelated stigma. Results. Over half (56.5%) of the total sample (n = 715) reported they were not satisfied with their sex lives. Those who avoided sex because of their HIV status (44.4%) were more likely to report sexual dissatisfaction, as were those who were aged 50 years or over and those with worse self-reported health. Participants who expressed a concern about their drug use were more likely to report sexual dissatisfaction when compared with those who expressed no such concern. Conclusions. Concerns about HIV continue to be present in the lives of PLHIV and can interrupt or undermine intimate and sexual relationships. Although biomedical prevention technologies such as PrEP and antiretroviral therapy may alleviate anxiety relating to onward transmission of HIV, these findings indicate that concerns about HIV status, which may be related to experiences ofstigma, are still adversely associated with enjoyment of sex for those living with HIV</p
Does options trading affect audit pricing?
No full textAbstract: We examine the impact of options trading on audit pricing for a sample of US firms over the period from 2004 to 2021. We find that options trading is significantly and negatively related to audit fees, indicating that firms characterized by higher options trading incur lower audit fees. Auditors spend a lower number of days auditing firms with higher options trading and firms with higher options trading experience lower probabilities of lawsuits, and misstatements, and lower likelihood of material weaknesses and auditor opinion on internal controls. The impact of options trading on audit fees is stronger when the auditor is located further away from the audited firm, for firms with non‐specialized auditors, higher information asymmetry problems, poorer earnings and lower governance quality. Overall, our findings underscore the significance of options trading in improving a firm's information environment and reducing litigation risk, resulting in lower audit fees.</p