Intersection between person-centred practice and Montessori for dementia and ageing in residential aged care.

BACKGROUND: Internationally, person-centred care (PCC) is embedded in the language of regulations and mandated to be practised in residential aged care (RAC). Despite this, PCC has not been fully adopted in RAC in Australia and internationally, and concerns about the quality of care persist. Over the past 2 decades, Montessori for dementia and ageing has been introduced in RAC to support and inform a cultural change towards PCC. This study aimed to examine the intersection between the goals and approaches of Montessori and PCC in RAC. METHODS: This qualitative descriptive study reports on a secondary analysis of qualitative data from focus groups (FGs) and interviews with residents, family-members, staff, and volunteers from eight RAC homes in Victoria, Australia. Sixteen FGs and 36 interviews were conducted. A qualitative deductive approach using researcher-developed Montessori for dementia and ageing framework for data analysis was applied. RESULTS: Findings provide support for the intersection between PCC and Montessori with participants' descriptions of PCC aligning with many of the goals and approaches of Montessori. Participants most commonly described Montessori approaches of engagement in daily tasks with purposeful roles and promoting cognitive abilities through multi-sensory stimulation. Least frequently-described approaches included focusing on residents' strengths/abilities, maintaining function, using familiar objects, and guided repetition. CONCLUSIONS: Findings have important implications for practice to use Montessori as a vehicle that supports and upskills the workforce to deliver care that is person-centred. Future research must examine the resources required to support the implementation and sustainability of Montessori as a vehicle for PCC.

Preventing childhood obesity in general practice: a qualitative study of GPs, practice nurses, and practice managers.

BACKGROUND: General practitioners (GPs) in Australia have an important role to play in preventing childhood obesity. Activities such as growth monitoring and promotion of healthy behaviours can contribute to obesity prevention efforts; however, the practicalities of how this is done are poorly documented. OBJECTIVES: Objectives were to understand current attitudes and practices regarding promoting healthy childhood growth and development and preventing childhood obesity in general practice, and identify practical barriers and enablers to routinely incorporating this into general practice based on the observations and personal experiences of general practice staff. METHODS: A descriptive qualitative study was undertaken with Australian general practice staff. Barriers and enablers underwent thematic analysis and mapped to the ecological model. RESULTS: Interviews were conducted with 9 GPs, 4 nurses, and 2 practice managers. Participants agreed that growth monitoring and healthy behaviour promotion should be done for children with a healthy weight. However, the thematic analysis indicated that obesity prevention in clinics is not supported well by the broader general practice system, there are complexities associated with obesity prevention discussions, and the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified challenges in general practice. Two themes for obesity prevention enablers were identified; these related to bridging the implementation gap and the need for changes outside the clinic to support behaviour within the clinic. Ecological model mapping implicated multiple ecological levels for each theme. CONCLUSION: Childhood obesity prevention through growth monitoring and healthy behaviour promotion is relevant to general practice; however, more support is needed to enable implementation and embed these practices day-to-day.

Childhood obesity prevention in general practice: supporting implementation through co-ideation.

BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity is associated with physical and psychological complications thus the prevention of excess weight gain in childhood is an important health goal. Relevant to the prevention of childhood obesity, Australian general practice-specific, preventive care guidelines recommend General Practitioners (GPs) conduct growth monitoring and promote a number of healthy behaviours. However, challenges to providing preventive care in general practice may impact implementation. In October and November, 2022, a series of three workshops focusing on the prevention of childhood obesity were held with a group of Australian GPs and academics. The objective of the workshops was to determine practical ways that GPs can be supported to address barriers to the incorporation of obesity-related prevention activities into their clinical practice, for children with a healthy weight. METHODS: This paper describes workshop proceedings, specifically the outcomes of co-ideation activities that included idea generation, expansion of the ideas to possible interventions, and the preliminary assessment of these concepts. The ecological levels of the individual, interpersonal, and organisation were considered. RESULTS: Possible opportunities to support childhood obesity prevention were identified at multiple ecological levels within the clinic. The preliminary list of proposed interventions to facilitate action included GP education and training, clinical audit facilitation, readily accessible clinical guidelines with linked resources, a repository of resources, and provision of adequate growth monitoring tools in general practice. CONCLUSIONS: Co-ideation with GPs resulted in a number of proposed interventions, informed by day-to-day practicalities, to support both guideline implementation and childhood obesity prevention in general practice.

Assessment of foods for infants and toddlers in Australia against the World Health Organization's Nutrient and Promotion Profile Model for food products for infants and young children.

OBJECTIVE: Global public health agencies have recommended stronger regulation of food marketing to protect children's diets. This study assessed commercial foods for infants and toddlers available in Australian supermarkets for compliance with the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe's Nutrient and Promotion Profile Model: supporting appropriate promotion of food products for infants and young children 6-36 months in the WHO European Region (NPPM). DESIGN: Dietitians assessed a sample of commercial foods for infants and toddlers against the composition, labelling and promotion requirements of the NPPM. SETTING: Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Commercial foods for infants and toddlers (n 45) available in two major Australian supermarkets, purposely sampled across product categories and brands. RESULTS: Fewer than one quarter (23 %) of the assessed products met all nutrient content requirements of the NPPM. No products met all of the labelling or promotional requirements. All products included at least one promotional marketing claim that was not permitted under the NPPM. CONCLUSIONS: The NPPM is useful to assess and monitor the nutritional composition and prevalence of marketing claims on commercial foods for infants and toddlers. Findings of noncompliance with the NPPM recommendations indicate an urgent need for stronger government regulation of the composition, labelling and marketing of commercial foods for infants and toddlers in Australia.

Attitudes and Behaviours Regarding COVID-19 Mitigation Strategies in Australians With an Underlying Health Condition: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Public health strategies have focused on preventing and slowing the transmission of COVID-19 by promoting the uptake of mitigation strategies. However, little is known about the uptake of these strategies in the presence of underlying health conditions. OBJECTIVES: To describe the attitudes and behaviours of a sample of Australians towards COVID-19 mitigation strategies, and determine if uptake of these strategies differed across different health conditions. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: National survey of Australian residents over 18 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A purpose-built survey was used to collect participants' attitudes and behaviours towards COVID-19 mitigation strategies. RESULTS: Over half (53%) of the 2867 participants (99% completion rate) reported having one or more comorbidities. The most commonly self-reported health condition was cardiometabolic conditions (28%). Most participants disagreed that masks were no longer needed (74%) and wanted the 5-day isolation mandate (66%). More than one-third would like masks to be mandated for indoor spaces (38%) and 25% avoided going to hospitals. Participants with allergies (OR 1.37; 95% CI 1.14, 1.65), cardiometabolic (OR 1.49; 95% CI 1.23, 1.79), respiratory (OR 1.32; 95% CI 1.07, 1.62) and neurological (OR 1.62; 95% CI 1.12, 2.32) conditions were more likely to avoid using public transport compared to those without. In contrast, participants with underlying mental health conditions were less likely to use N95/P2 facemasks in public spaces (OR 0.46; 95% CI 0.25, 0.87) compared to those without. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial proportion of Australians continued to adopt COVID-19 mitigation measures or expressed a desire for more mitigations, including mandatory isolation for COVID-19, despite the lack of mandates. People with an underlying health condition who represent more than half of all adults appear to be more careful with mitigations to avoid COVID-19. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Members of the public were invited to participate in a soft launch of the survey between 4th and 5th January 2023 to test flow and functionality, and to allow the final wording of survey questions to be refined as required.

The Right to Rehabilitation for People With Dementia: A Codesign Approach to Barriers and Solutions.

INTRODUCTION: People with dementia of all ages have a human right to equal access to quality health care. Despite evidence regarding its effectiveness, many people living with dementia are unable to access rehabilitation for promoting function and quality of life. Conducted in Australia, this study was designed to (1) explore barriers to access to dementia rehabilitation and (2) identify solutions that improve access to rehabilitation. METHODS: People living with dementia (n = 5) and care partners (n = 8) and health professionals (n = 13) were recruited nationally. Experience-based codesign across three virtual workshops was used to understand barriers and design solutions to improve access to rehabilitation treatments. Socio-ecological analyses, using the Levesque Access to Health care framework, were applied to findings regarding barriers and to aid selection of solutions. RESULTS: There was high attendance (92.3%) across the three workshops. Barriers were identified at a user level (including lack of knowledge, transport, cost and difficulty navigating the health, aged care and disability sectors) and health service level (including health professional low dementia knowledge and negative attitudes, inequitable funding models and non-existent or fragmented services). Solutions focused on widespread dementia education and training, including ensuring that people with dementia and their care partners know about rehabilitation therapies and that health professionals, aged care and disability co-ordinators know how to refer to and deliver rehabilitation interventions. Dementia care navigators, changes to Australia's public funding models and specific dementia rehabilitation programmes were also recommended. CONCLUSIONS: Barriers to accessing rehabilitation for people with dementia exist at multiple levels and will require a whole-community and systems approach to ensure change. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: People with living experience (preferred term by those involved) were involved at two levels within this research. A Chief Investigator living with dementia was involved in the design of the study and writing of the manuscript. People with living experience, care partners and service providers were participants in the codesign process to identify barriers and design potential solutions.

A non-randomised controlled trial of a community-based accommodation and psychosocial support programme for adults experiencing mental illness and homelessness.

BACKGROUND: The transition out of inpatient mental health is a crucial time for adults experiencing concurrent mental illness and homelessness, yet evidence regarding effective support options is mixed. Choices is an intensive 3-month psychosocial outreach and crisis accommodation support programme for adults experiencing mental illness and homelessness, delivered by Baptcare in Tasmania, Australia. This study examined the effect of Choices on adults' psychosocial functioning, clinical symptomology and psychiatric readmissions in comparison to standard care only. METHOD: Participants were adults aged 18-64 years experiencing mental illness and homelessness, recruited upon discharge from a psychiatric admission. Intervention participants (n = 124) received the Choices programme. Control participants (n = 122) received standard care, clinical assessment and treatment from hospital-based Mental Health Services. Outcomes were psychosocial functioning (primary), clinical symptomology, hospital readmission rate and readmission length of stay. Outcomes were assessed at programme commencement and closure (3 months) and 3 months post-closure (intervention group only). Analysis of covariance was used to analyse differences between groups at closure, while controlling for baseline differences. RESULTS: Intervention participants had significantly improved social functioning (encompassing living conditions, social relationships, self-esteem/confidence), overall psychosocial functioning, symptoms of depression and anxiety and shorter hospital readmission length of stay in comparison to the control group. Intervention participants experienced further improvements in social and overall psychosocial functioning 3 months post-closure. CONCLUSION: The Choices programme is effective in enhancing the psychosocial functioning of adults experiencing concurrent mental illness and homelessness. These findings support the ongoing delivery of this combined accommodation and wrap-around psychosocial model of intensive support.

A longitudinal qualitative exploration of victorian healthcare workers' and organisations' evolving views and experiences during COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted individuals, society, and healthcare organisations worldwide. Recent international research suggests that concerns, needs, and experiences of healthcare workers (HCWs) have evolved throughout the pandemic. This longitudinal qualitative study explored the evolving views and experiences of Victorian healthcare workers (HCWs) and organisational key personnel during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS: We recruited participants from the Coronavirus in Victorian Health and Aged care workers (COVIC-HA) study cohort. We conducted two rounds of semi-structured interviews with HCWs and organisational key personnel from three different healthcare settings (hospital, aged care and primary care) in Victoria, Australia, in May-July 2021 and May-July 2022. Data were analysed thematically using trajectory and recurrent cross-sectional approaches, guided by a temporal change framework. RESULTS: Twelve HCWs and five key personnel from various professional roles participated in interviews at both timepoints. Expected themes derived from mid-2021 interviews (navigating uncertainty, maintaining service delivery, and addressing staff needs) evolved over time. Concerns shifted from personal health and safety to workforce pressures, contributing to HCW burnout and fatigue and ongoing mental health support needs. New themes emerged from mid-2022 interviews, including managing ongoing COVID-19 impacts and supporting the healthcare workforce into the future. Clear and consistent communication, stable guidelines and forward-looking organisational responses were considered crucial. CONCLUSIONS: Our longitudinal qualitative study highlighted the evolving impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HCWs' perceptions, health and wellbeing and uncovered long-term sector vulnerabilities. Analysing HCW experiences and key personnel insights over time and across different pandemic phases provided crucial insights for policymakers to protect the healthcare workforce. Findings emphasise the need for proactive strategies that prioritise HCWs' wellbeing and workforce sustainability. Policy makers must invest in HCW health and wellbeing initiatives alongside healthcare system improvements to ensure resilience and capacity to meet future challenges. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was approved through the Victorian Streamlined Ethical Review Process (SERP: Project Number 68,086) and registered with ANZCTR (ACTRN12621000533897) on 6 May 2021.

The Exercise Right for Active Ageing Study: Participation in Community-Based Exercise Classes by Older Australians During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The aim of this study was to determine factors associated with participation of community-dwelling older Australians (≥65 years) in the Exercise Right for Active Ageing program, consisting of 12 low- to moderate-intensity group exercise classes, delivered weekly, in person or online, by accredited exercise scientists and physiologists across Australia. Out of 6,949 participants recruited, 6,626 (95%) attended one or more classes and were included in the primary analysis, and 49% of participants attended all 12 classes. Factors associated with higher class attendance included participation in yoga/flexibility/mobility classes, attendance at a free trial class (adjusted incidence rate ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.05 [1.03, 1.08]), and attending online classes (1.19 [1.11, 1.26]). Factors associated with lower class attendance included state of residence, living in inner regional areas (0.95 [0.93, 0.98]), and having two or more comorbidities (0.97 [0.95, 0.99]). High class attendance suggests that the Exercise Right for Active Ageing program was well received by older Australians, particularly in states less impacted by COVID-19 lockdowns.

'All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children should have access to the ASQ-TRAK': Shared vision of an implementation support model for the ASQ-TRAK developmental screener.

ISSUE ADDRESSED: The ASQ-TRAK, a strengths-based approach to developmental screening, has high acceptability and utility across varied Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contexts. While substantive knowledge translation has seen many services utilise ASQ-TRAK, we now need to move beyond distribution and support evidence-based scale-up to ensure access. Through a co-design approach, we aimed to (1) understand community partners' perspectives of barriers and enablers to ASQ-TRAK implementation and (2) develop an ASQ-TRAK implementation support model to inform scale-up. METHODS: The co-design process had four phases: (i) partnership development with five community partners (two Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations); (ii) workshop planning and recruitment; (iii) co-design workshops; and (iv) analysis, draft model and feedback workshops. RESULTS: Seven co-design meetings and two feedback workshops with 41 stakeholders (17 were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander), identified seven key barriers and enablers, and a shared vision - all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families have access to the ASQ-TRAK. Implementation support model components agreed on were: (i) ASQ-TRAK training, (ii) ASQ-TRAK support, (iii) local implementation support, (iv) engagement and communications, (v) continuous quality improvement and (vi) coordination and partnerships. CONCLUSIONS: This implementation support model can inform ongoing processes necessary for sustainable ASQ-TRAK implementation nationally. This will transform the way services provide developmental care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, ensuring access to high quality, culturally safe developmental care. SO WHAT?: Well-implemented developmental screening leads to more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children receiving timely early childhood intervention services, improving developmental trajectories and optimising long-term health and wellbeing.

Mental health and wellbeing of health and aged care workers in Australia, May 2021 - June 2022: a longitudinal cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the mental health and wellbeing of health and aged care workers in Australia during the second and third years of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, overall and by occupation group. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS: Longitudinal cohort study of health and aged care workers (ambulance, hospitals, primary care, residential aged care) in Victoria: May-July 2021 (survey 1), October-December 2021 (survey 2), and May-June 2022 (survey 3). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportions of respondents (adjusted for age, gender, socio-economic status) reporting moderate to severe symptoms of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9, PHQ-9), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale, GAD-7), or post-traumatic stress (Impact of Event Scale-6, IES-6), burnout (abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory, aMBI), or high optimism (10-point visual analogue scale); mean scores (adjusted for age, gender, socio-economic status) for wellbeing (Personal Wellbeing Index-Adult, PWI-A) and resilience (Connor Davidson Resilience Scale 2, CD-RISC-2). RESULTS: A total of 1667 people responded to at least one survey (survey 1, 989; survey 2, 1153; survey 3, 993; response rate, 3.3%). Overall, 1211 survey responses were from women (72.6%); most respondents were hospital workers (1289, 77.3%) or ambulance staff (315, 18.9%). The adjusted proportions of respondents who reported moderate to severe symptoms of depression (survey 1, 16.4%; survey 2, 22.6%; survey 3, 19.2%), anxiety (survey 1, 8.8%; survey 2, 16.0%; survey 3, 11.0%), or post-traumatic stress (survey 1, 14.6%; survey 2, 35.1%; survey 3, 14.9%) were each largest for survey 2. The adjusted proportions of participants who reported moderate to severe symptoms of burnout were higher in surveys 2 and 3 than in survey 1, and the proportions who reported high optimism were smaller in surveys 2 and 3 than in survey 1. Adjusted mean scores for wellbeing and resilience were similar at surveys 2 and 3 and lower than at survey 1. The magnitude but not the patterns of change differed by occupation group. CONCLUSION: Burnout was more frequently reported and mean wellbeing and resilience scores were lower in mid-2022 than in mid-2021 for Victorian health and aged care workers who participated in our study. Evidence-based mental health and wellbeing programs for workers in health care organisations are needed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12621000533897 (observational study; retrospective).

A rapid umbrella review of the literature surrounding the provision of patient-centred end-of-life care.

BACKGROUND: Patients have reported a broad range of unmet needs in their receipt of clinical care at the end of life. Therefore, enhancing the quality of end-of-life care through patient-centred healthcare interactions is warranted. AIM: The aim of this rapid umbrella review was to synthesise previous literature reviews that have examined: (1) patient preferences for patient-centred end-of-life care; (2) barriers and enablers to patient-centred end-of-life care; (3) interventions designed to enhance patient-centred end-of-life care; and (4) patient-centred models of end-of-life care. DESIGN: A rapid umbrella review was conducted and informed by the Joanna Briggs Institute's methodological guidance for conducting umbrella reviews. DATA SOURCES: Three academic databases were searched for relevant literature in May 2022: MEDLINE, PsycINFO and CINAHL Plus. Inclusion criteria encompassed literature reviews that examined the topic of patient-centred care for any adult patients in end-of-life care. RESULTS: A total of 92 literature reviews were identified. Findings suggest that there is often a discrepancy between patient preferences and the provision of care. These discrepancies have been associated with a range of barriers at the patient, staff and system levels. Common interventions included education and training for staff which were often met with improved patient outcomes. Patient-centred models of care were underrepresented across the literature. CONCLUSIONS: This review highlighted a need for healthcare systems to support staff in providing a patient-centred end of life experience through the development of a co-designed patient-centred model of care, supplemented by professional development and a systematic approach to identifying and documenting patient preferences.

Impact of the Exercise Right for Active Ageing program on physical function in older adults: a quasi-experimental pre-post study.

BACKGROUND: The Exercise Right for Active Ageing (ERAA) program was established to improve access to exercise classes for community-dwelling older Australians. The aims of this study were to determine whether older adults, who participated in ERAA exercise classes experienced a change in physical function, and identify factors associated with this change. METHODS: Participants included community-dwelling older adults, aged ≥ 65 years, from every state and territory of Australia. The ERAA program included 12 subsidised, weekly, low- to moderate-intensity exercise classes, delivered by accredited exercise scientists or physiologists (AESs/AEPs). Primary outcomes included the 30 s Sit-to-Stand (STS) and the 3-metre Timed Up and Go (TUG) tests. Secondary outcomes included grip strength, the Chair Sit and Reach test, and waist circumference. Linear mixed-effects regression models were used to evaluate the change in outcomes following program completion, and to determine factors associated with changes in the primary outcomes. RESULTS: 3,582 older adults (77% female) with a median (IQR) age of 72 (69-77) years completed follow-up testing. For all primary and secondary outcomes, there was a statistically significant improvement after program completion (p < 0.001). The STS increased by 2.2 repetitions (95% CI: 2.1, 2.3), the TUG decreased by 0.9 s (95% CI: -1.0, -0.8), right and left grip strength increased by 1.3 kg (95% CI: 1.2, 1.5) and 1.5 kg (95% CI: 1.3, 1.6), respectively, right and left reach increased by 1.7 cm (95% CI: 1.4, 2.0), and waist circumference decreased by 1.2 cm (95% CI: -1.4, -1.1). Greater improvements in STS were observed for participants aged 65-69 years, females, and those with greater socio-economic disadvantage. For the TUG, greater improvements were observed in participants reporting 2 + comorbidities, and residing in outer regional areas and areas with greater socio-economic disadvantage. CONCLUSIONS: Participation of older Australians in the ERAA program, led to statistically significant improvements in physical function. The program reached a large number of older Australians from every state and territory, including those from regional and remote parts of Australia, aged over 85 years, and with high levels of comorbidity, which supports the feasibility and acceptability of AES- and AEP-led exercise classes amongst community-dwelling older Australians. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) (ACTRN12623000483651). Registered 12 May 2023 - Retrospectively registered, https://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12623000483651.aspx .

Co-designing a community lifestyle intervention program to reduce postpartum weight retention.

BACKGROUND: Postpartum weight retention is a major contributor to obesity in later life resulting in long-term health consequences in women. Postpartum lifestyle interventions are known to be effective in reducing postpartum weight retention and improving the overall health and wellbeing of mothers but have poor reach and engagement. This study describes the engagement of mothers with young children in the development of a theory- and evidence-based intervention to reduce postpartum weight retention. METHODS: A participatory design methodology with input from a community mothers' group, literature reviews and an expert advisory group was applied. Mothers who were members of 'Mothers of Preschoolers' (MOPS) were invited to participate in a focus group discussion and two co-design workshop sessions. RESULTS: Thirteen women participated in a focus group discussion and 12 women in each co-design workshop. We found that mothers valued having social support from their peers, practical support such as meal delivery, and learning opportunities that focus on the mother's health and wellbeing. The advisory group suggested leveraging the unique skills and prior experiences of mothers within the group and developing a curriculum that mothers can be trained to deliver. CONCLUSION: A program that emphasizes the strengths and value of mothers can increase their self-worth and self-confidence resulting in intrinsic motivation to improve lifestyle behaviours. An intervention designed to be implemented by MOPS for its members and incorporated into their regular sessions has the potential for feasibility and acceptability among mothers with young children. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Mothers with young children were part of the program planners and were involved in the design and conduct of this study and in the interpretation of the findings. A member of a community mothers' group recruited other mothers with young children within the group to participate in a series of sessions to discuss their experiences of the postpartum period and preferences for a lifestyle program. The mothers identified the behavioural outcomes and program goals for a postpartum lifestyle program and then generated the program ideas based on these.

Targeted community-based programmes for children's mental health: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the Australian literature.

OBJECTIVE: No synthesis of the Australian evidence regarding targeted prevention and early intervention for mental health concerns among young children exists. This review aimed to (1) describe the types of targeted community-based mental health programmes evaluated in Australia to support children aged 1-9 years exhibiting internalising and/or externalising symptoms and (2) examine their impact on children's internalising and externalising symptoms and disorder diagnosis. METHOD: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted (PROSPERO: CRD42021255257). Four databases (PsycINFO, PsycArticles, MEDLINE and CINAHL) were searched for Australian studies published in the past 10 years that quantitatively evaluated the impact of a targeted programme on children's mental health. The National Institute of Health Quality Assessment Tools were used to evaluate the study quality. RESULTS: Forty-two studies were included; the majority (67%) were medium quality. The mean sample size was 142 (SD = 170), children's average age was 5.78 years (SD = 2.44) and 58% were male. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were underrepresented. Studies evaluated 16 programmes that targeted (1) externalising symptoms (n = 20 studies, n = 6 programmes), (2) internalising symptoms (n = 14 studies, n = 7 programmes) or (3) both, termed transdiagnostic programmes (n = 8 studies, n = 3 programmes). Externalising programmes achieved a significant moderate mean reduction in externalising behaviours (standardised mean differences = -0.56), internalising programmes yielded a small mean improvement in anxiety symptoms (standardised mean differences = -0.25) and 57% reduced odds of anxiety disorder diagnosis. Evidence supporting transdiagnostic programmes was inconclusive. CONCLUSION: Parenting-focused programmes targeting young children's internalising or externalising behaviours have the largest local evidence base supporting their effectiveness. Limitations include a lack of engagement with fathers, triangulation of outcomes, homogeneity and implementation reporting. Greater implementation and evaluation of community-driven integrated and systemic approaches that identify, engage and support Australia's most disadvantaged cohorts of young children and their families are needed.

Father trait anger and associations with father-infant bonding and caregiving: The mediating role of mentalizing.

Trait anger reflects a tendency to feel irritation, annoyance, and rage, and involves a narrowing of cognition and attention. This narrowed scope may impact the capacity to understand the mental states of oneself and others (mentalizing), which for fathers of infants may compromise bonding and caregiving involvement. Here, we investigated the extent to which mentalizing mediated the relationship between father trait anger and both father-infant bonding and father involvement in infant caregiving. Data were from 168 fathers (M = 30.04 years of age, SD = 1.36) of 190 infants (M = 7.58 months of age, SD = 5.06) in the longitudinal Men and Parenting Pathways (MAPP) study. We assessed fathers' preconception trait anger at Wave 1 and their mentalizing 2 years later at Wave 3. At Waves 3, 4, and/or 5, we assessed father-infant bonding and father involvement in infant caregiving when men had an infant younger than 18 months of age. Associations were examined using path analysis. Poorer mentalizing fully mediated the relationship between preconception trait anger and father-infant bonding (total score), but not involvement in infant caregiving. Further, poorer mentalizing fully mediated the relationships between trait anger and each component of the father-infant bond (i.e., patience and tolerance, affection and pride, and pleasure in interactions). Findings suggest that for men high on trait anger, targeted interventions that facilitate mentalizing capacities may help to develop a foundation for a strong father-infant bond. Interventions may be offered on becoming a father (perinatal), or prior to becoming a father (preconception) to prevent future bonding problems.

A Comparison of the Cost-Effectiveness of Lifestyle Interventions in Pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: Lifestyle interventions during pregnancy improve maternal and infant outcomes. We aimed to compare the cost-effectiveness of 4 antenatal lifestyle intervention types with standard care. METHODS: A decision tree model was constructed to compare lifestyle intervention effects from a novel meta-analysis. The target population was women with singleton pregnancies and births at more than 20 weeks' gestation. Interventions were categorized as diet, diet with physical activity, physical activity, and mixed (lacking structured diet and, or, physical activity components). The outcome of interest was cost per case prevented (gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, cesarean birth) expressed as an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) from the Australian public healthcare perspective. Scenario analyses were included for all structured interventions combined and by adding neonatal intensive care unit costs. Costs were estimated from published data and consultations with experts and updated to 2019 values. Discounting was not applied owing to the short time horizon. RESULTS: Physical activity interventions reduced adverse maternal events by 4.2% in the intervention group compared with standard care and could be cost saving. Diet and diet with physical activity interventions reduced events by 3.5% (ICER = A$4882) and 2.9% (ICER = A$2020), respectively. Mixed interventions did not reduce events and were dominated by standard care. In scenario analysis, all structured interventions combined and all interventions when including neonatal intensive care unit costs (except mixed) may be cost saving. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that for physical activity and all structured interventions combined, the probability of being cost saving was 58% and 41%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Governments can expect a good return on investment and cost savings when implementing effective lifestyle interventions population-wide.

Patient and clinician perspectives of factors that influence the delivery of alcohol brief interventions in Australian primary care: a qualitative descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: Brief interventions (BIs) delivered in primary care can reduce harmful alcohol consumption. Yet, clinicians do not routinely offer BIs to reduce harmful alcohol use. OBJECTIVE: We explored the perspectives of clinicians and patients about the use of alcohol BIs during consultations in Australian primary care. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews and focus groups (face-to-face and virtual) were undertaken with 34 general practitioners, eight practice nurses and 17 patients. Field notes were made from audio-recordings and themes were identified using a descriptive qualitative approach with the field notes as the point of data analysis. RESULTS: Participants identified barriers within the consultation, practice setting and wider healthcare system plus across the community which reduce the delivery of BIs in primary care including: Australian drinking norms; inconsistent public health messaging around alcohol harm; primary care not recognized as a place to go for help; community stigma towards alcohol use; practice team culture towards preventive health, including systems for recording alcohol histories; limitations of clinical software and current patient resources. CONCLUSION: Multiple layers of the healthcare system influence the use of BIs in primary care. Identified facilitators for embedding BIs in primary care included: (i) raising community and clinician awareness of the health harms of alcohol, (ii) reinforcing a primary care culture that promotes prevention and, (iii) supportive resources to facilitate discussion about alcohol use and strategies to reduce intake. Alcohol BIs in primary care could be further supported by community public health messages about alcohol use.

Alcohol is a major source of harm in the community and primary care (including family doctor and general practice settings) can play a role in reducing harmful alcohol use. When clinicians talk to their patients about alcohol use, research has shown they can reduce how much they drink each week. We spoke with general practitioners, nurses and patients in Australia to work out what is getting in the way of conversations about alcohol in primary care. We found that both clinicians and patients think we need to raise community awareness about the health harms of alcohol, that there are health system barriers, and there could be better resources to use in consultations. Low-income patients are particularly disadvantaged by financial costs associated with alcohol and counselling services when they seek help. To increase conversations about alcohol in primary care, it could be more helpful to target the broader community, the health system and primary care.

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for the treatment and early intervention of trauma among first responders: A systematic review.

First responders are exposed to repetitive work-related trauma and, thus, are at risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy intervention designed to treat symptoms of posttraumatic stress. We conducted a systematic review to examine the viability of EMDR among first responders. The primary aim of this review was to identify studies that have trialed EMDR among first responders and evaluate its effectiveness in reducing trauma-related symptoms; a secondary aim was to identify whether EMDR has been used as an early intervention for this cohort and determine its effectiveness as such. Four databases were searched. Studies were included if they evaluated the extent to which EMDR was effective in alleviating symptoms stemming from work-related trauma exposure among first responders. The findings from each study were reported descriptively, and eight studies that evaluated the efficacy of EMDR in this population were included. There was substantial variation in how EMDR was implemented, particularly in the type, duration, frequency, and timing. The findings suggest that EMDR can alleviate symptoms of work-related trauma exposure among first responders; however, findings regarding early intervention were inconclusive, and a methodological quality assessment revealed that all studies were classified as being of either weak or medium quality. Although this review provides preliminary insights into the effectiveness of EMDR for first responders, the conclusions that can be drawn from the literature are limited, and the findings highlight several gaps in the literature.

The effect of My Health Record use in the emergency department on clinician-assessed patient care: results from a survey.

BACKGROUND: The emergency department has been a major focus for the implementation of Australia's national electronic health record, known as My Health Record. However, the association between use of My Health Record in the emergency department setting and patient care is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of emergency department clinicians regarding My Health Record use frequency, the benefits of My Health Record use (with a focus on patient care) and the barriers to use. METHODS: All 393 nursing, pharmacy, physician and allied health staff employed within the emergency department at a tertiary metropolitan public hospital in Melbourne were invited to participate in a web-based survey, between 1 May 2021 and 1 December 2021, during the height of the Delta and Omicron Covid-19 outbreaks in Victoria, Australia. RESULTS: Overall, the survey response rate was 18% (70/393). Approximately half of the sample indicated My Health Record use in the emergency department (n = 39, 56%, confidence interval [CI] 43-68%). The results showed that users typically only engaged with My Health Record less than once per shift (n = 15, 39%, CI 23-55%). Just over half (n = 19/39, 54%, CI 32-65%) of all participants who use My Health Record agreed they could remember a time when My Health Record had been critical to the care of a patient. Overall, clinicians indicated the biggest barrier preventing their use of My Health Record is that they forget to utilise the system. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that My Health Record has not been adopted as routine practice in the emergency department, by the majority of participants. Close to half of self-identified users of My Health Record do not associate use as being critical to patient care. Instead, My Health Record may only be used in scenarios that clinicians perceive will yield the greatest benefit-which clinicians in this paper suggest is patients with chronic and complex conditions. Further research that explores the predictors to use and consumers most likely to benefit from use is recommended-and strategies to socialise this knowledge and educate clinicians is desperately required.