The Centre of Health Initiatives, part of the University of Wollongong's School of Nursing, M... more The Centre of Health Initiatives, part of the University of Wollongong's School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health, has been working with Asthma Foundation NSW to develop and test an online asthma self-management program for older adults.
Primary health care (PHC) improves population health and reduces health inequalities. As a result... more Primary health care (PHC) improves population health and reduces health inequalities. As a result many countries have embarked on significant PHC reforms that include the introduction of models that operate across the system as a whole and demonstrate a significant political commitment. This review brings together evidence from a range of national and international initiatives, with a focus on models that promote comprehensive PHC through PHC collaboration. It reviews three main approaches: reform through organisational change, through funding reform and through developments in workforce.
of a poster presentation at the 2016 National Medicines Symposium, 19-20 May, Canberra, Australia... more of a poster presentation at the 2016 National Medicines Symposium, 19-20 May, Canberra, Australia. Disciplines Medicine and Health Sciences | Social and Behavioral Sciences Publication Details Mullan, J., Burns, P., Weston, K., McLennan, P., Rich, W., Crowther, S., Mansfield, K., R Dixon, R., Moselen, E. & Osborne, R. (2016). Health literacy profiles: are they the same for university students enrolled in health professional degree programs?. National Medicines Symposium 2016: Poster Abstracts (pp. 118-118). Australia: NPS. Authors Judy Mullan, Pippa Burns, Kathryn M. Weston, Peter L. McLennan, Warren C. Rich, Shelley P. Crowther, Kylie J. Mansfield, R R Dixon, E Moselen, and R Osborne This conference paper is available at Research Online: http://ro.uow.edu.au/smhpapers/3766 1 18 P o st er a b st ra ct s 330 Health literacy profiles: are they the same for university students enrolled in health professional degree programs? Mullan J1, Burns P1, Weston K1, McLennan P1, Rich W1, Crowthe...
of a poster presentation at the 2016 National Medicines Symposium, 19-20 May, Canberra, Australia... more of a poster presentation at the 2016 National Medicines Symposium, 19-20 May, Canberra, Australia. Disciplines Medicine and Health Sciences | Social and Behavioral Sciences Publication Details Burns, P., Mullan, J., Gillespie, R., Harrison, L., Baker, A., Win, K. & Traynor, V. (2016). Evaluation of a newly developed dementia meds management website. National Medicines Symposium 2016: Poster Abstracts (pp. 174-174). Australia: NPS. Authors Pippa Burns, Judy Mullan, Robyn Gillespie, Lindsey Harrison, Amanda Ann Baker, K Win, and Victoria Traynor This conference paper is available at Research Online: http://ro.uow.edu.au/smhpapers/3764 174 P o st er a b st ra ct s 386 Evaluation of a newly developed dementia meds management website Burns P, Mullan J, Gillespie R, Harrison L, Baker A, Win K, Traynor V University of Wollongong Background: Informal caregivers of people living with dementia are often responsible for managing medications for their relatives. In 2013, a pilot website was dev...
Partnerships between schools, universities, and community organizations have mutual benefits for ... more Partnerships between schools, universities, and community organizations have mutual benefits for all involved. These partnerships value the contributions of all participants and capitalize on the expertise and knowledge that each brings. This reflective paper details a collaborative third-space partnership between a university, a primary school, and a community organization. The partnership facilitated the design, development, and implementation of a unique program called Project DARE (Dementia knowledge, Art, Research, and Education). A research-based evaluation of the Project DARE feasibility study can be found elsewhere (Burns et al., 2020). The aim of this paper is to reflect upon the formation of the partnership and the roles that each party played. It also discusses implications for the future development of third-space partnerships.
The current integrative literature review explored the impact of interactive delirium care educat... more The current integrative literature review explored the impact of interactive delirium care education in facilitating knowledge transfer to health care practitioners and improving health outcomes for older adults. Academic databases, including MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Web of Science, were searched using the terms delirium and simulation or interactive education. Selected articles were analyzed using Critical Appraisals Skills Programme tools. Twenty studies were reviewed and three themes generated to explain the current understanding of the impact of interactive delirium care education on outcomes for: (a) individuals with delirium; (b) organizational health care; and (c) health care practitioners. The current review demonstrated that interactive education is a promising contemporary approach for raising awareness about best practice delirium care by health care practitioners. Due to gaps in the literature, future educational research in the area of delirium care education needs to adopt a more consistent method of reporting findings to ensure successful transferability across care settings.
Although safe, paracetamol, commonly used in children, can cause adverse events if not administer... more Although safe, paracetamol, commonly used in children, can cause adverse events if not administered correctly. This research aimed to investigate caregivers' knowledge about children's paracetamol. A convenience sample of caregivers who had purchased Children's Panadol were asked to complete an online survey, assessing their knowledge of paracetamol. Most of the 174 respondents were female (93.7%), highlyeducated (72.4%) with adequate functional health literacy (85.6%). Almost all respondents correctly identified that Children's Panadol contained paracetamol (96.6%). However, approximately a quarter of them did not know the maximum daily dose (26.4%), just under half (46%) did not know how many days this dose could be safely given, and over one-third (37.4%) did not know that liver toxicity could result from overdose. These findings suggest that adult caregivers administering paracetamol to children have gaps in their knowledge. Strategies to help improve caregiver's knowledge about the correct and safe administration of children's paracetamol need to be considered.
Background: Children's formulations containing ibuprofen are frequently used to treat pain and fe... more Background: Children's formulations containing ibuprofen are frequently used to treat pain and fever. These medications, available over-the-counter, have the potential to cause adverse events if usage/safety information is not adhered to. This study aimed to investigate caregivers' knowledge about the safe use of a commonly purchased children's formulation containing ibuprofen. Methods: A convenience sample of caregivers in Australia and New Zealand, who had purchased Nurofen® for Children, completed an online survey assessing their knowledge of product information and dosage instructions available on/in the product packaging. Results: In total, 219 caregivers (mainly female 95%, mean age ± SD; 35 ± 6.82 years) completed the online survey. Responses suggest limitations in their knowledge about the active ingredients, contraindications and side effect profile associated with the product. Most respondents had a good understanding about the correct dosage to give children based on their weight and/or age, but many lacked a good understanding about the correct interval between doses and the maximum number of daily doses. Conclusions: These findings suggest that caregivers administering ibuprofen to children have gaps in their product knowledge. Strategies to help improve caregivers' knowledge about the safe administration of these products should be prioritised in an attempt to reduce the likelihood of children experiencing ibuprofen related adverse events. Improving caregiver knowledge to address these gaps is an important issue for all health care providers.
International journal of older people nursing, Jan 10, 2018
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of the "Managing Medicines for Peopl... more The purpose of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of the "Managing Medicines for People with Dementia" (www.dementiameds.com) website for informal carers. The management of medications for individuals living with a dementia by informal carers is a neglected area of care. We know that informal carers find it difficult accessing reliable and comprehensive information about medications. We also know that the Internet is a contemporary and growing medium through which consumers access health information. This study was unique in that it brought these two elements together through an interdisciplinary study about the usefulness of a new website providing information on medication management. Data collection consisted of focus groups with informal carers of individuals living with a dementia. Data were analysed through content analysis. Four themes were generated from the data to explain the evaluation of the website by informal carers: (1) Suitability of the website; (2) ...
Background: This study aimed to assess and compare health literacy levels in a range of universit... more Background: This study aimed to assess and compare health literacy levels in a range of university-based health students. Methods: A survey containing the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) was administered to students enrolled in university-based medical, allied health or nursing degree programs. The HLQ scores and scale scores were compared across student groups. Results: In total, 374 students (24% response rate) with a median age of 25 years (range: 17-61 years), returned completed surveys. Three students who did not identify their degree programs were excluded from the final analysis which included 371 respondents; 242 graduate-entry medical students (65%), 67 allied health students (18%) and 62 nursing students (17%). Overall, the medical students had the highest score for seven of the nine HLQ scales; while the nursing students had the lowest score for all of the nine HLQ scales. Conclusion: These results show that health literacy profiles are different across student groups. In order to provide excellent patient-centred care, and to successfully look after their own health, a high level of health literacy is required by future health professionals. Health literacy training modules, tailored according to the different needs of the student groups, should therefore be included in university-based health professional degree programs.
Australian and New Zealand journal of public health, Jan 24, 2016
To investigate consumers' knowledge about commonly purchased over-the-counter (OTC) products ... more To investigate consumers' knowledge about commonly purchased over-the-counter (OTC) products containing ibuprofen. Customers buying two popular OTC ibuprofen-containing products (Nurofen(™) or Nurofen Plus(™) ) were asked to complete a short survey assessing their knowledge about the products. The survey was completed by 262 respondents, most of whom were older than 50 years of age; female; well-educated; with adequate functional health literacy. The majority correctly identified ibuprofen as an active ingredient and knew the correct intervals between doses. However, almost a third couldn't correctly identify the maximum daily dose and were unaware of some contraindications. Furthermore, fewer than half recognised potential side effects. Those who hadn't completed high school were significantly less likely to seek medical advice (when required) and significantly less likely to know when it was safe to take these products. The gaps in consumer knowledge, especially about ...
Journal of Medical Education and Curricular Development, 2017
Evidence-based medical practice is best achieved by developing research understanding in medical ... more Evidence-based medical practice is best achieved by developing research understanding in medical practitioners. To this end, medical councils worldwide increasingly recognise the importance of medical schools graduating students with well-developed research skills and research capacity. To meet this need, the principles of programmatic assessment were implemented in designing a research and critical analysis curriculum and assessment program that aimed to enhance the research and critical analysis skills of medical students. The program was developed by mapping assessment tasks to a research capabilities framework that was in turn scaffolded to different levels of Miler's pyramid. The curriculum and assessments were integrated with the science, clinical, and professional aspects of the medical course. The progressive longitudinal development of research skills, with feedback and academic mentoring, culminated in the students' capacity to undertake an independent research project. Designing an assessment program for learning encouraged students to develop their research capacity by involving them in their learning.
The Centre of Health Initiatives, part of the University of Wollongong's School of Nursing, M... more The Centre of Health Initiatives, part of the University of Wollongong's School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health, has been working with Asthma Foundation NSW to develop and test an online asthma self-management program for older adults.
Primary health care (PHC) improves population health and reduces health inequalities. As a result... more Primary health care (PHC) improves population health and reduces health inequalities. As a result many countries have embarked on significant PHC reforms that include the introduction of models that operate across the system as a whole and demonstrate a significant political commitment. This review brings together evidence from a range of national and international initiatives, with a focus on models that promote comprehensive PHC through PHC collaboration. It reviews three main approaches: reform through organisational change, through funding reform and through developments in workforce.
of a poster presentation at the 2016 National Medicines Symposium, 19-20 May, Canberra, Australia... more of a poster presentation at the 2016 National Medicines Symposium, 19-20 May, Canberra, Australia. Disciplines Medicine and Health Sciences | Social and Behavioral Sciences Publication Details Mullan, J., Burns, P., Weston, K., McLennan, P., Rich, W., Crowther, S., Mansfield, K., R Dixon, R., Moselen, E. & Osborne, R. (2016). Health literacy profiles: are they the same for university students enrolled in health professional degree programs?. National Medicines Symposium 2016: Poster Abstracts (pp. 118-118). Australia: NPS. Authors Judy Mullan, Pippa Burns, Kathryn M. Weston, Peter L. McLennan, Warren C. Rich, Shelley P. Crowther, Kylie J. Mansfield, R R Dixon, E Moselen, and R Osborne This conference paper is available at Research Online: http://ro.uow.edu.au/smhpapers/3766 1 18 P o st er a b st ra ct s 330 Health literacy profiles: are they the same for university students enrolled in health professional degree programs? Mullan J1, Burns P1, Weston K1, McLennan P1, Rich W1, Crowthe...
of a poster presentation at the 2016 National Medicines Symposium, 19-20 May, Canberra, Australia... more of a poster presentation at the 2016 National Medicines Symposium, 19-20 May, Canberra, Australia. Disciplines Medicine and Health Sciences | Social and Behavioral Sciences Publication Details Burns, P., Mullan, J., Gillespie, R., Harrison, L., Baker, A., Win, K. & Traynor, V. (2016). Evaluation of a newly developed dementia meds management website. National Medicines Symposium 2016: Poster Abstracts (pp. 174-174). Australia: NPS. Authors Pippa Burns, Judy Mullan, Robyn Gillespie, Lindsey Harrison, Amanda Ann Baker, K Win, and Victoria Traynor This conference paper is available at Research Online: http://ro.uow.edu.au/smhpapers/3764 174 P o st er a b st ra ct s 386 Evaluation of a newly developed dementia meds management website Burns P, Mullan J, Gillespie R, Harrison L, Baker A, Win K, Traynor V University of Wollongong Background: Informal caregivers of people living with dementia are often responsible for managing medications for their relatives. In 2013, a pilot website was dev...
Partnerships between schools, universities, and community organizations have mutual benefits for ... more Partnerships between schools, universities, and community organizations have mutual benefits for all involved. These partnerships value the contributions of all participants and capitalize on the expertise and knowledge that each brings. This reflective paper details a collaborative third-space partnership between a university, a primary school, and a community organization. The partnership facilitated the design, development, and implementation of a unique program called Project DARE (Dementia knowledge, Art, Research, and Education). A research-based evaluation of the Project DARE feasibility study can be found elsewhere (Burns et al., 2020). The aim of this paper is to reflect upon the formation of the partnership and the roles that each party played. It also discusses implications for the future development of third-space partnerships.
The current integrative literature review explored the impact of interactive delirium care educat... more The current integrative literature review explored the impact of interactive delirium care education in facilitating knowledge transfer to health care practitioners and improving health outcomes for older adults. Academic databases, including MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Web of Science, were searched using the terms delirium and simulation or interactive education. Selected articles were analyzed using Critical Appraisals Skills Programme tools. Twenty studies were reviewed and three themes generated to explain the current understanding of the impact of interactive delirium care education on outcomes for: (a) individuals with delirium; (b) organizational health care; and (c) health care practitioners. The current review demonstrated that interactive education is a promising contemporary approach for raising awareness about best practice delirium care by health care practitioners. Due to gaps in the literature, future educational research in the area of delirium care education needs to adopt a more consistent method of reporting findings to ensure successful transferability across care settings.
Although safe, paracetamol, commonly used in children, can cause adverse events if not administer... more Although safe, paracetamol, commonly used in children, can cause adverse events if not administered correctly. This research aimed to investigate caregivers' knowledge about children's paracetamol. A convenience sample of caregivers who had purchased Children's Panadol were asked to complete an online survey, assessing their knowledge of paracetamol. Most of the 174 respondents were female (93.7%), highlyeducated (72.4%) with adequate functional health literacy (85.6%). Almost all respondents correctly identified that Children's Panadol contained paracetamol (96.6%). However, approximately a quarter of them did not know the maximum daily dose (26.4%), just under half (46%) did not know how many days this dose could be safely given, and over one-third (37.4%) did not know that liver toxicity could result from overdose. These findings suggest that adult caregivers administering paracetamol to children have gaps in their knowledge. Strategies to help improve caregiver's knowledge about the correct and safe administration of children's paracetamol need to be considered.
Background: Children's formulations containing ibuprofen are frequently used to treat pain and fe... more Background: Children's formulations containing ibuprofen are frequently used to treat pain and fever. These medications, available over-the-counter, have the potential to cause adverse events if usage/safety information is not adhered to. This study aimed to investigate caregivers' knowledge about the safe use of a commonly purchased children's formulation containing ibuprofen. Methods: A convenience sample of caregivers in Australia and New Zealand, who had purchased Nurofen® for Children, completed an online survey assessing their knowledge of product information and dosage instructions available on/in the product packaging. Results: In total, 219 caregivers (mainly female 95%, mean age ± SD; 35 ± 6.82 years) completed the online survey. Responses suggest limitations in their knowledge about the active ingredients, contraindications and side effect profile associated with the product. Most respondents had a good understanding about the correct dosage to give children based on their weight and/or age, but many lacked a good understanding about the correct interval between doses and the maximum number of daily doses. Conclusions: These findings suggest that caregivers administering ibuprofen to children have gaps in their product knowledge. Strategies to help improve caregivers' knowledge about the safe administration of these products should be prioritised in an attempt to reduce the likelihood of children experiencing ibuprofen related adverse events. Improving caregiver knowledge to address these gaps is an important issue for all health care providers.
International journal of older people nursing, Jan 10, 2018
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of the "Managing Medicines for Peopl... more The purpose of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of the "Managing Medicines for People with Dementia" (www.dementiameds.com) website for informal carers. The management of medications for individuals living with a dementia by informal carers is a neglected area of care. We know that informal carers find it difficult accessing reliable and comprehensive information about medications. We also know that the Internet is a contemporary and growing medium through which consumers access health information. This study was unique in that it brought these two elements together through an interdisciplinary study about the usefulness of a new website providing information on medication management. Data collection consisted of focus groups with informal carers of individuals living with a dementia. Data were analysed through content analysis. Four themes were generated from the data to explain the evaluation of the website by informal carers: (1) Suitability of the website; (2) ...
Background: This study aimed to assess and compare health literacy levels in a range of universit... more Background: This study aimed to assess and compare health literacy levels in a range of university-based health students. Methods: A survey containing the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) was administered to students enrolled in university-based medical, allied health or nursing degree programs. The HLQ scores and scale scores were compared across student groups. Results: In total, 374 students (24% response rate) with a median age of 25 years (range: 17-61 years), returned completed surveys. Three students who did not identify their degree programs were excluded from the final analysis which included 371 respondents; 242 graduate-entry medical students (65%), 67 allied health students (18%) and 62 nursing students (17%). Overall, the medical students had the highest score for seven of the nine HLQ scales; while the nursing students had the lowest score for all of the nine HLQ scales. Conclusion: These results show that health literacy profiles are different across student groups. In order to provide excellent patient-centred care, and to successfully look after their own health, a high level of health literacy is required by future health professionals. Health literacy training modules, tailored according to the different needs of the student groups, should therefore be included in university-based health professional degree programs.
Australian and New Zealand journal of public health, Jan 24, 2016
To investigate consumers' knowledge about commonly purchased over-the-counter (OTC) products ... more To investigate consumers' knowledge about commonly purchased over-the-counter (OTC) products containing ibuprofen. Customers buying two popular OTC ibuprofen-containing products (Nurofen(™) or Nurofen Plus(™) ) were asked to complete a short survey assessing their knowledge about the products. The survey was completed by 262 respondents, most of whom were older than 50 years of age; female; well-educated; with adequate functional health literacy. The majority correctly identified ibuprofen as an active ingredient and knew the correct intervals between doses. However, almost a third couldn't correctly identify the maximum daily dose and were unaware of some contraindications. Furthermore, fewer than half recognised potential side effects. Those who hadn't completed high school were significantly less likely to seek medical advice (when required) and significantly less likely to know when it was safe to take these products. The gaps in consumer knowledge, especially about ...
Journal of Medical Education and Curricular Development, 2017
Evidence-based medical practice is best achieved by developing research understanding in medical ... more Evidence-based medical practice is best achieved by developing research understanding in medical practitioners. To this end, medical councils worldwide increasingly recognise the importance of medical schools graduating students with well-developed research skills and research capacity. To meet this need, the principles of programmatic assessment were implemented in designing a research and critical analysis curriculum and assessment program that aimed to enhance the research and critical analysis skills of medical students. The program was developed by mapping assessment tasks to a research capabilities framework that was in turn scaffolded to different levels of Miler's pyramid. The curriculum and assessments were integrated with the science, clinical, and professional aspects of the medical course. The progressive longitudinal development of research skills, with feedback and academic mentoring, culminated in the students' capacity to undertake an independent research project. Designing an assessment program for learning encouraged students to develop their research capacity by involving them in their learning.
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