Developing a health promoting university in Trinity College Dublin-overview and outline process evaluation.

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have the potential to impact positively on the health and wellbeing of their staff and students. Using and expanding on the 'health promoting university' (HPU) platform within HEIs, this article provides a description of 'Healthy Trinity', which is an initiative underway in Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin. First, Healthy Trinity is contextualized in background literature including international and national policy and practice. Second, an overview of Healthy Trinity is provided including its vision and goals. Third, the article describes the steps taken relating to the identification of stakeholders and use of a network and a co-lead model. Within this approach, the article describes a partnership approach whereby responsibilities regarding health and wellbeing are shared by individuals and the institution. Fourth, the design and implementation of Healthy Trinity is discussed by taking a 'settings approach', in which the emphasis for change is placed on individual behaviours, environment, policy and organizational culture. Consideration is given to the interplay between intervention, implementation strategy and context for successful systemic implementation. The fifth element presented is the early-stage challenges encountered during implementation, such as the need to secure recurrent funding and the importance of having a direct input to the governance of the University to enable systemic change. The sixth and final component of the article is an outline of Healthy Trinity's intention to utilize a process evaluation of the early implementation phases of this complex intervention within a settings approach. Potential deliverables and impacts of this HPU initiative are presented and discussed.

Universities, such as Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, can be looked at as a community of staff and students. The university community has needs in terms of health and wellbeing. 'Healthy Trinity' attempted to build strategies and practices to meet these needs for its community. The approach taken was from multiple angles and involved students and staff, focusing on both individual and organizational responsibility to promote and encourage healthy behaviours. Healthy Trinity achieved some successes as well as encountering some challenges. This article explores how the university might build upon the successes of Healthy Trinity in order to embed a culture which prioritizes health and wellbeing for the entire university community. The article also looks at the broader impact of achieving this goal, namely the University's contribution to a healthier community beyond the university setting.

Did physical activity and associated barriers change during COVID-19 restrictions in Ireland? Repeated cross-sectional study.

This repeated cross-sectional study investigated physical activity and associated barriers and facilitators during the first two waves of COVID-19 restrictions in Ireland. An online, anonymous questionnaire collated data from adults during May (n = 1274) and November (n = 810) 2020. Statistical analysis used a combination of traditional significance testing and Bayesian lasso logistic regression. The pattern of physical activity changed significantly between waves (χ2 86.8 on 3df; p < 0.001). During wave 1 restrictions, the majority [46.1% (n = 587)] of participants reported being more active than usual, decreasing to 26.3% (n = 213) during wave 2. More participants reported that their activity levels were less than usual [W1 29% (n = 369); W2 35% (n = 283)] during wave 2. Adherence to physical activity guidelines decreased from 56.5% (n = 705) to 43.7% (n = 35). Being unable to access their usual means of exercise [OR, 95% OR intervals; W1 1.611 (1.370-1.904), W2 1.638 (1.3731.968)] and advice not to leave home [OR, 95% OR intervals; W1 1.401 (1.164-1.697), W2 1.367 (1.106-1.696)] predicted less activity than usual during both waves. Increased time [OR, 95% OR intervals; W1 2.326 (1.948-2.794), W2 1.809 (1.478-2.233)], and valuing physical activity as important [OR, 95% OR intervals; W1 1.192 (1.001-1.444), W2 1.253 (1.003-1.637)] predicted increased activity during both waves, whilst finding new ways to be active [OR, 95% OR intervals; 2.515 (1.641-3.887)] predicted more activity in wave 2 only. Increases in physical activity of Irish adults during the first phase of COVID-19 restrictions were not maintained during the second wave and barriers to physical activity persisted.

Our study looked at the physical activity levels of Irish adults during the first two waves of COVID-19 restrictions. We also examined the factors that helped or hindered people to be active at this time. We used an anonymous, online questionnaire to collect responses during May and November 2020. In total, 1274 people responded in May and 810 in November. We found that in May, almost half of the respondents reported they were more active than usual. By November this had reduced to just over a quarter and about one in three people reported they were doing less activity than usual. People who were less active than usual reported that the closure of their usual means of getting activity, and the advice not to outdoors were the main factors preventing them from being active. People who were more active than usual reported that having more time and feeling that physical activity was important helped them to be more active. The things that helped or hindered people from being active generally did not change between May and November.

Performance-based assessment during clinical placement: Cross-sectional investigation of a training workshop for practice educators.

Performance-based assessment evaluates a health professional student's performance as they integrate their knowledge and skills into clinical practice. Performance-based assessment grades, however, are reported to be highly variable due to the complexity of decision-making in the clinical environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a training workshop based on frame-of-reference principles on grading of student performance by physiotherapy practice educators. This was a prospective cross-sectional study which used a single group pre-test, post-test design. Fifty-three practice educators rated two video vignettes depicting a poor and very good student performance, using a subsection of a physiotherapy performance-based assessment tool before and after training. Overall, results showed that participants amended their scores on approximately half of all scoring occasions following training, with the majority decreasing the scores awarded. This impacted positively on scoring for the poor performance video, bringing scores more in line with the true score. This study provides evidence of the benefit of a training workshop to influence decision-making in performance-based assessment as part of a wider education program for practice educators.

Stand up, stand out. Feasibility of an active break targeting prolonged sitting in university students.

ObjectiveTo assess the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of an active break designed to disrupt prolonged sitting in university students. Participants: Students attending lectures in Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. Methods: Participants took part in an active break, which consisted of following a short exercise video lasting ∼4 min. They then completed a validated questionnaire consisting of 12 statements with two open-ended questions capturing likes/dislikes. Results: Overall 106 (response rate 96%) predominately female (83%, n = 87), health sciences students (91%, n = 96) participated. Percentage agreement ranged from 93.4% (n = 99) to 96.2% (n = 102) for acceptability, 84.9% (n = 90) to 93.4% (n = 99) for appropriateness, and 80.2% (n = 85) to 96.2% (n = 102) for feasibility. Space constraints and warm temperatures impacted negatively. Conclusion: An active break delivered during lectures is an acceptable and feasible intervention to disrupt sitting in students. Further investigation using a broader representation of the university population is needed prior to implementation.

Supervision models in physiotherapy practice education: student and practice educator evaluations.

Objectives: To establish the supervision models used during physiotherapy practice placements and to determine student and practice educators' evaluations of the quality of these placements.Design: Cross-sectional study set in clinical sites providing placements for physiotherapy students in Ireland.Participants: Practice educators and students completing placements in 2015/16.Outcome Measure: Questionnaire which measured 18 indicators linked to quality assured placements. Eight additional indicators in the practice educator questionnaire addressed the overall feasibility of the supervision model. Two open-ended questions captured comments on the benefits and challenges of each model.Results: The overall response rate was 72% (112/155). The majority (75%, n = 84) of participants reported a 1:1 (one student: one educator) model of supervision. Fourteen percent (n = 16) reported a 1.2 (one student: two educators) model and 9% (n = 10) a 2.1 (two students: one educator) model. There was generally positive agreement with the questionnaire indicating that all placements, irrespective of supervision model were positively evaluated by participants. Students, however, indicated a more negative evaluation of the placement than practice educators in indictors related to communication, the provision of feedback, establishing an effective relationship with their educator and diversity of available learning opportunities. Indicators relating to productivity and the placement representing an efficient use of resources and personnel received more negative or equivocal ratings by educators.Conclusions: While the 1.1 model remains the most widely used supervision model in physiotherapy practice education, other models also score positively, offering choice to placement providers when determining the model that best suits their service.

Evaluation of a 2 to 1 peer placement supervision model by physiotherapy students and their educators.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to investigate student and practice educator evaluations of practice placements using a structured 2 to 1 supervision and implementation model. DESIGN: Cross-sectional pilot study set in clinical sites providing placements for physiotherapy students in Ireland. PARTICIPANTS: Students and practice educators completing a 2.1 peer placement between 2013 and 2015 participated. OUTCOME MEASURE: A self-reported questionnaire which measured indicators linked to quality assured placements was used. Three open-ended questions captured comments on the benefits and challenges associated with the 2 to 1 model. RESULTS: Ten students (10/20; 50% response rate) and 10 practice educators (10/10; 100% response rate) responded to the questionnaire. Student responses included four pairs of students and one student from a further two pairs. There was generally positive agreement with the questionnaire indicating that placements using the 2 to 1 model were positively evaluated by participants. There were no significant differences between students and practice educators. The main benefits of the 2 to 1 model were shared learning experiences, a peer supported environment, and the development of peer evaluation and feedback skills by students. A key component of the model was the peer scripting process which provided time for reflection, self-evaluation, and peer review. CONCLUSIONS: 2 to 1 placements were positively evaluated by students and educators when supported by a structured supervision model. Clear guidance to students on the provision of peer feedback and support for educators providing feedback to two different students is recommended.

Feasibility of a physical activity pathway for Irish primary care physiotherapy services.

OBJECTIVES: To establish consensus on a physical activity pathway suitable for use by physiotherapists in Irish primary care. The physical activity pathway "Let's Get Moving" was examined to agree recruitment criteria and seek consensus on component parts. DESIGN: Modified Delphi approach which attempts to achieve a convergence of opinion, over a series of iterations. Three rounds of questionnaires were used. SETTING: Primary care. PARTICIPANTS: 41 senior physiotherapists working in primary care for a median of 6 years (IQR 3.7 to 8.5). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Statements achieving consensus; defined as at least 70% of participants scoring a 6 or a 7, indicating high agreement, on a 7 point Likert scale. RESULTS: The response rate was 98%. There was a high degree of consensus for many components of the pathway. Participants agreed that all patients attending physiotherapy should be eligible for recruitment onto the pathway as well as accepting referrals from other health professionals and direct access from the public. Private physiotherapists highlighted concerns about recruiting fee paying patients onto the pathway. The pathway should be integrated into other preventative and chronic disease programmes in primary care. Modifications to the original pathway included the use of a pedometer in addition to the General Practice Physical Activity Questionnaire. Training needs in physical activity screening and motivational interviewing, as well as additional staffing were identified to support implementation. CONCLUSIONS: The Physical Activity Pathway "Let's Get Moving" was accepted as a clinically feasible resource to primary care physiotherapists with some modifications and with the support of additional resources.