19683 research outputs found
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How forensic analysis and traditional knowledge reveal the story of a unique boomerang
No full textNo description supplied</p
Improving the experience and care of people in suicidal distress in hospital emergency departments and the Hospital Outreach Post-Suicidal Engagement (HOPE) program
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Understanding veterinary technician burnout, part 1: burnout profiles reveal high workload and lack of support are among major workplace contributors to burnout
No full textAbstract:-Objective: To identify burnout profiles and levels of burnout among veterinary technicians (VTs) and explore workplace contributors to burnout after accounting for nonworkplace stress. Methods An international convenience sample of 187 participants, recruited between December 7, 2023, and January 31, 2024, completed an anonymous online survey that included the Maslach Burnout Inventory, Brief Daily Stressors Screening Tool, and Areas of Worklife Survey. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients and hierarchical multiple regressions. Results: Two-thirds (66%) met the criteria for burnout in at least 1 of the 3 burnout dimensions. Common burnout profiles among respondents were Engaged (34%), Ineffective (28%), and Overwhelmed (23%), indicating high workloads and lack of support. Of the 6 Areas of Worklife, the Workload domain was most strongly related to burnout. Hierarchical multiple regressions revealed that, after controlling for nonworkplace stress, the Workload and Values domains, as well as nonworkplace stress, predicted Emotional Exhaustion. High reward predicted Personal Accomplishment, while low reward and nonwork stress predicted Depersonalization. Conclusions: Veterinary technicians met the criteria for high levels of burnout, demonstrating a critical need for intervention. High workload and lack of support were key contributors to burnout; therefore, strategies such as streamlining workload and increased utilization of skills and knowledge may reduce burnout risk and improve the health and retention of VTs. Clinical Relevance: This study identifies the need for organizations to address key areas of workplace stress to reduce existing high levels of burnout in VTs.</p
QSOX Queer Women's Substance Use Over Time - 'Reflecting On Your Use' Zine
No full textLesbian, bisexual, and queer (LBQ) women have high rates of alcohol and tobacco use. These understandings of why this is the case are often simplistic and fail to capture the complexities of what these substances really mean to LBQ women. Subsequently, smoking cessation and alcohol-related supports may not adequately meet the needs of this population.The QSOX (Queer Women's Substance Use Over Time) study, a longitudinal qualitative study exploring alcohol, tobacco and vaping among LBQ women in Victoria and NSW, follows the lives of LBQ women over the course of 18 months to understand the cultural practices of substances in LBQ women’s communities and how these may change over time. In doing so, QSOX aims to inform future health-related interventions that better meet the needs of this population.This zine is a result of the project, offering culturally appropriate support for LBQ women who may be reflecting on their alcohol, tobacco or vape use.An A4 version (suitable for office or home printers) and a professional print version with 3mm bleeds are available for printing and distribution.© La Trobe University 2025</p
Parents’ views and experiences of literacy instruction provided during the COVID-19 remote learning period
No full textRemote teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic provided a unique opportunity for parents of early years students to gain insights into instructional methods used to teach reading and spelling. We used this opportunity to seek parents’ perspectives about the instructional content and materials provided during periods of remote teaching in Australia. Nineteen parents were interviewed individually, and data were examined using deductive and inductive thematic analyses. Parents acknowledged teachers’ extraordinary efforts; however, some reported unexpected and concerning insights that their child appeared to be behind their peers in reading. While some parents described satisfaction with the reading instruction provided, many independently sought contemporary information about evidence-based reading instruction methods. Some reported an uncomfortable dissonance, noting that practices that they understood to align with scientific evidence were not routinely part of the pedagogical approach at their child’s school. Although our study focused on an unusual time period, our findings are illustrative of the variability present in early years classrooms with respect to reading instruction.</p
Aphasia-specific or generic outcomes? a comparison of two health-related quality of life instruments for economic evaluations of aphasia treatments
No full textPurpose: Economic evaluations based on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) inform healthcare decisions. The generic EuroQol 5-Dimensions Health Questionnaire, 3-Level (EQ-5D-3L) permits conversion to utility values required for economic evaluations but is not validated for people with aphasia. The aphasia-specific Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life Scale-39 g (SAQOL-39g) measures HRQOL, however, cannot be used to generate utility values. This study aimed to compare the performance of these two instruments. Methods: HRQOL was rated at baseline and 12 weeks in participants of the Constraint Induced or Multi-Modal Personalised Aphasia Rehabilitation (COMPARE) randomised controlled trial. We assessed: (1) distribution of self-rated HRQOL scores, (2) convergent validity between EQ-5D-3L (domains; utility values; visual analogue scale) and SAQOL-39g (domain scores; total mean scores) using Spearman’s correlations, (3) Construct validity through exploratory factor analysis, and (4) discriminative ability of converted EQ-5D-3L utilities in measuring compromised HRQOL (SAQOL-39g scores ≤ 4). Results: Participants (n = 201 baseline, n = 190 12 weeks) completed both instruments (69% male, median age 63.6 years, median time since stroke 2.5 years). Ceiling effects were high for the EQ-5D-3L at baseline (45–79%) versus the SAQOL-39g (0–6%). Convergent validity between the SAQOL-39g communication domain and the EQ-5D-3L (r = 0.04–0.28) was weak at both time points. Factor analysis revealed distinct underlying constructs between instruments. EQ-5D-3L utility scores demonstrated reasonable performance (0.80 baseline; 0.78 12-weeks) in measuring poor HRQOL. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that EQ-5D-3L use in economic evaluations including people with aphasia requires caution. Alternative HRQOL instruments require evaluation to ensure fair prioritisation of aphasia treatments.</p
Harms to women and children from men’s alcohol use: An evidence review and directions for policy
No full textContent Disclaimer: Sensitive MaterialThis research engages with subject matter that may include references to sensitive or distressing material. Such material is included solely for the purposes of research, analysis, and advancing understanding of the topic under discussion.Readers are advised to exercise discretion when engaging with this content.Support services in Australia:Lifeline – 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention)Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800 (24/7 counselling and support for young people aged 5–25)1800RESPECT – 1800 737 732 (24/7 sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling)Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 (24/7 mental health support)If you are in immediate danger, call 000.AbstractAcross the world, men consume more alcohol and experience more alcohol-related harm from their own drinking than women. Men’s alcohol use also results in more harm to others, including harm to women and children. However, relatively few studies have focused on the scope and impacts that men’s harmful alcohol use may cause other people, and few studies or policies specifically address harms that women and children experience because of men’s alcohol use. Drawing on three recent reviews of the literature covering harm to women, harm to children, and policy options for reducing harmful drinking by men, we have synthesized the evidence to inform future alcohol, health, and social policy implementation; service and response system development; and directions for research. Findings suggest possible system changes to continue advancement toward health and well-being for women and children around the world.</p
Clinical Outcomes and Food Triggers Following Low Food Chemical Diet Implementation: A Retrospective Audit of Dietetic Practice
No full textINTRODUCTION: Food hypersensitivity describes a range of nonimmune food related reactions of varying aetiology causing gastrointestinal and extraintestinal symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate if the low-chemical diet improves gastrointestinal and/or extraintestinal symptoms, and whether specific food challenges induce symptoms. METHODS: A retrospective clinical audit was conducted on files from 2011 to 2022 from a gastrointestinal specialist dietetic practice. Fifty eligible patient files were identified, all of whom had been recommended to follow a low-chemical diet. One research dietitian extracted data on diet implementation, symptom change during the Restrictive Phase, and symptom provocation during the Rechallenge Phase. Descriptive statistics were used. RESULTS: The cohort was predominantly female (80%), mean age 47 years (range 7-85). At baseline the most common gastrointestinal symptom was diarrhoea (22/50, 44%), and extraintestinal symptom was nasal congestion (14/50, 28%). Improvement in at least one symptom following the Restrictive Phase occurred in 88% (44/50). The Restrictive Phase was followed for 2-78 weeks, and unintentional weight loss was documented in 24% (2-10 kg). The Rechallenge Phase duration ranged from 5 to 191 weeks, with 96% (48/50) reporting symptom provocation following at least one challenge. Salicylate challenge most commonly induced diarrhoea (16%), bloating (16%), and itch (14%), while amine challenge induced abdominal pain (10%) and nausea (8%). CONCLUSION: Patients reported an improvement in gastrointestinal and extraintestinal symptoms, but commonly experienced prolonged dietary restriction. Rechallenge with salicylates and amines provoked symptoms; but this may be confounded by other diet and non-diet factors. High-quality trials with isolated food chemical components are needed.</p
QSOX Queer Women's Substance Use Over Time: Briefing Paper 2 - LBQ Women and Smoking
No full textLesbian, bisexual, and queer (LBQ) women consistently report higher rates of alcohol, tobacco, and nicotine use than heterosexual women, yet there has been limited qualitative research exploring why these patterns exist, how they evolve, and what they mean in women’s lives. Most existing studies focus on risk, often framing LBQ women’s substance use through a lens of harm or deficit. These narratives frequently draw on the concept of minority stress, the chronic stress experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people due to discrimination and stigma, as the primary explanation for increased substance use. While minority stress is one important aspect of LBQ women’s substance use, this explanation alone does not tell the whole story for everyone.The QSOX (Queer Women’s Substance Use Over Time) study was designed to develop a deeper and more nuanced understanding of LBQ women and non-binary people’s experiences of alcohol, tobacco, and nicotine use in Australia. Funded by the Australian Research Council (LP210100122) and conducted alongside the University of Sydney and the University of Melbourne, and in partnership with Thorne Harbour Health, ACON, LGBTIQ+ Health Australia, Quit Victoria, and the Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association, this is the first longitudinal qualitative study to explore changes in LBQ women and non-binary people’s substance use over time. Specifically, the project aimed to address the following research questions:1. What is the role of alcohol, tobacco and nicotine use in the social and cultural lives of Australian LBQ women and non-binary people?2. How do LBQ women and non-binary people understand, construct, and manage the potential risks and harms of alcohol and tobacco use over time?3. What are LBQ women and nonbinary people’s experiences and perceptions of smoking cessation and alcohol-related support services?© La Trobe University 2025</p
