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To effectively manage a crisis, most decisions made by governments, organizations, communities, and individuals are based on "shared situational awareness" (SSA) derived from multiple information sources. Developing SSA depends on the alignment of mental models, which "represent our shared version of truth and reality on which we can act." Social media has facilitated public sensemaking during a crisis; however, it has also encouraged mental model dissonance, resulting in the digital destruction of mental models and undermining adequate SSA. The study is concerned with the challenges of creating SSA during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Australia. This paper documents a netnography of Australian public health agencies' Facebook communication, exploring the initial impact of COVID‐19 on SSA creation. Chaos theory is used as a theoretical lens to examine information perception, meaning, and assumptions relating to SSA from pre to post‐pandemic periods. Our study highlights how the initial COVID‐19 "butterfly effect" swamped the public health communication channel, leaving little space for other important health issues. This research contributes to information systems, information science, and communications by illustrating how the emergence of a crisis impacts social media communication, the creation of SSA, and what this means for social media adoption for crisis communication purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Heart failure (HF) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. A significant proportion of HF patients will have repeated hospital presentations. Effective integration between general practice and existing HF management programs may address some of the challenges in optimising care for this complex patient population. The Heart Failure Integrated Care Project (HFICP) investigated the barriers encountered by primary healthcare providers in providing care to patients with HF in the community. Methods Five general practices in the St George and Sutherland regions (NSW, Australia) that employed practice nurses (PNs) were enrolled in the project. Participants responded to a printed survey that asked about their perceived role in the management of HF patients and their current knowledge and confidence in managing this condition. Participants also took part in a focus group meeting and were asked to identify barriers to improving HF patient management in general practice, and to offer suggestions about how the project could assist them to overcome those barriers. Results Barriers to effective delivery of HF management in general practice included clinical factors (consultation time limitations, underutilisation of patient management systems, identifying patients with HF, lack of patient self-care materials), professional factors (suboptimal hospital discharge summary letters, underutilisation of PNs), organisation factors (difficulties in communication with hospital staff, lack of education regarding HF management) and system issues (no Medicare rebate for B-type natriuretic peptide testing, insufficient Medicare rebate for using PN in chronic disease management). Conclusions The HFICP identified several barriers to improving integrated management for HF patients in the Australian setting. These findings provide important insights into how an HF integrated care model can be implemented to strengthen the working relationship between hospitals and primary care providers in delivering better care to HF patients. What is known about the topic? Multidisciplinary HF programs are heterogeneous in their structures, they have low patient participation rates and a significant proportion of HF patients have further presentations to hospital with HF. Integrating the care of HF patients into the primary care system following hospital admission remains challenging. What does this paper add? This paper identified several factors that hinder the effective delivery of care by primary care providers to patients with HF. What are the implications for practitioners? The findings provide important insights into how an HF integrated care model can be implemented to strengthen the working relationship between tertiary health facilities and primary care providers in delivering better care to HF patients.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to appraise the development, implementation and acceptance of HealthPathways (HP), specifically in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), at different levels of the health system in a large metropolitan Local Health District in Australia.Design/methodology/approach This study used a programmatic approach and mixed methods including literature reviews, site visits, semi-structured interviews of stakeholders and General Practitioners (GPs), and surveys (GPs and patients) to better understand the development, implementation and acceptance of T2DM pathways.Findings Results from this study indicate that 63 percent (n=37) of all survey respondents use HP and nearly half (47 percent) use HP in caring for a patient with diabetes. More than 80 percent of the health professionals found HP a useful tool, which has improved the quality of care, keeps them informed and supports diagnostics process. The use of website has led to an improvement in referral quality (69 percent), has assisted in the provision of more healthcare in the community (87 percent) and made their job easier. Thematic analysis from stakeholder interviews (n=12) emphasizes the importance of established collaborations and the need for standardized tools with common priorities and transparency in processes.Practical implications This study has provided insight into the details of delivery of integrated healthcare using HP. It provides a preliminary analysis of the lessons learnt for the implementation of HP.Originality/value The results of this study will be ideally placed to inform future policy amendments in the area of integrated healthcare as well as serving as a guide on implementing HP in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of older people living with chronic health conditions is increasing in Australia. The Chronic Disease Management (CDM) items program was introduced to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) to encourage a more structured approach to managing patients with chronic conditions. Initial uptake was slow and recent research has suggested that uptake is decreasing. This paper examines: person MBS CDM claims in NSW between 2006 and 2014 — using baseline survey data (2006–09) from the Sax Institute's 45 and Up Study linked to MBS and Death Registry data (2006–14) — and MBS CDM claims per 100 000 population — using billing data sourced from the Medicare Australia Statistics website — to systematically examine any changes in uptake using a time-series analysis. After age adjustment, claims for initial plans increased from 11.3% in 2006 to 22.4% in 2014. Increases were also seen for allied health service claims (from 4.1% in 2006 to 20.8% in 2014) and for plan reviews (from 5.9% in 2006 to 16.0% in 2014). These increases were consistent with the MBS summary claims data. There is evidence that these plans are appropriately targeting those in most need; however, there is limited evidence of their effect. Claims for plan reviews, although increasing, are suboptimal and may indicate poor continuity of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The perceptions and practices of sheep farmers with regards to their knowledge of sheep health management on their farms can have a significant impact on the overall health, welfare, and production of their animals and on the economics of their farming enterprise. District veterinary services play an important role in providing technical services and support to the farmers. Survey studies were conducted to understand and compare the practices and perceptions of sheep famers and district veterinarians (DVs) in NSW, Australia, to sheep health and its management. The findings illustrated differences between the farmer and DV perception of sheep health and diseases of greatest concern and provided valuable insights into their different observations and practices. For example, sheep producers were most concerned with parasites whereas for DVs sheep husbandry advice was most concerning. However, both groups ranked nutrition advice as the second most concerning area related to sheep health. Of particular interest were the differences in the communication methods that they prefer which, if more closely aligned, may enable more effective communication. The findings of these studies provide some guidance and recommendations for improving the management of the health, welfare, and overall economic value of sheep farming in NSW. The study objectives were to understand the practices and perceptions of sheep farmers and district veterinarians (DVs) towards sheep health management and, the impact of disease at the farm level in addition to the availability, accessibility, and use of veterinary services. Data were collected using question-based surveys, distributed online and in-person to sheep farmers (45 respondents) and DVs (25 respondents). Most farmers were male, ≥51 years old, who placed a high priority on the health and welfare of their sheep. For disease prevention most farmers vaccinated their sheep (91%) and 86.7% had a farm biosecurity plan, although its components and their application varied, e.g., the isolation of new or sick sheep. Fencing costs were most frequently identified (70.5% respondents) as a financial concern for sheep farmers. Their most common sources of information about disease control and prevention were DVs (66.7%), private veterinarians (60.0%), the internet (42.9%), rural suppliers (35.7%), and farmers/neighbours (28.6%). Fifty-eight percent of farmers reported a long distance from veterinarian services. Farmers preferred to receive information via email (77.8%), whereas 56% of DVs preferred to share information via phone call. This discrepancy presents an opportunity to align these mechanisms more closely for effective dissemination of information and increased producer engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This retrospective cohort study aims to assess whether the implementation of a multidisciplinary approach in the Gosford Hospital High‐Risk Foot Clinic improved outcomes of diabetic foot ulcers. Ulceration is a common foot complication of diabetes mellitus and greatly increases patient morbidity and mortality. Patients who attended at least one appointment at the Gosford Hospital High‐Risk Foot Clinic in 2017 or 2019 were identified through the Gosford Hospital Podiatry department's records. The 2017 and 2019 cohorts were compared on measures of ulcer healing, incidence of amputation, incidence of vascular intervention and surgical debridement, percentage of patients admitted to hospital due to complications and use of systemic antibiotic therapy. Sixty‐one patients in 2017 and 59 patients in 2019 met inclusion criteria, and from them, 207 ulcers were included. Between 2017 and 2019, there was a 6.2‐week reduction in time to 100% ulcer healing in 2019 (p = 0.021), and 10.1% more ulcers healed within 52 weeks (p = 0.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] [−5.9%, 25.5%]). Whilst there was no significant difference in incidence of patients receiving amputation, there was an increased absolute number of amputations in 2019. Implementation of a multidisciplinary approach at the Gosford Hospital High‐Risk Foot Clinic led to improvements in diabetic foot ulcer healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines experiences of living with chronic illness for haemodialysis patients. In order to understand these experiences the paper takes an existential-phenomenological approach. Interviews of seven participants (five males, two females) were collected in a haemodialysis clinic. Based upon the participants experiences three core themes emerged: (1) the challenges of living with chronic renal failure; (2) body changes and embodiment; (3) their illness experience and social relationships. The findings suggest that the illness experience of chronic renal failure is an on-going struggle to attain a sense of control. We suggest that where a sense of control is limited this can create a sense of powerlessness. Further, the illness experience was not solely restricted to the individual, but also affected wider social relationships. It is only through taking into account the context of patients experience of illness that clinicians/nurses can meaningfully draw on all aspects of evidence to reach integrated clinical judgement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports a qualitative pilot study exploring primary care health practitioners' perspectives on the management of insomnia following the extensive media coverage on the adverse effects of zolpidem in 2007-08. General practitioners and community pharmacists were recruited throughout metropolitan Sydney, New South Wales using a convenience sampling and snowballing technique. Demographic information was collected from each participant followed by a semistructured interview. In total 22 participants were interviewed, including eight general practitioners and 14 community pharmacists. Interview transcripts were analysed using 'framework analysis'. Participants' responses illuminated some of the key issues facing primary care practitioners in the management of insomnia. Practitioners perceived there to be an overreliance on pharmacotherapy among insomnia patients and inadequate support for directing patients to alternative treatment pathways if they require or prefer non-pharmacological management. Current prescribing trends appear to favour older benzodiazepines in new cases of insomnia whereas some successful sporadic users of zolpidem have continued to use zolpidem after the media coverage in 2007-08. The findings of this pilot study suggest the need to address the limitations in the management of insomnia within the current health care system, to revise and disseminate updated insomnia guidelines and to provide educational opportunities and resources to primary care practitioners concerning management options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores how the structuring of places and time influence Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patient and carer experiences of health services. Face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted with urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with diabetes, chronic heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as well as family carers (N = 19). Content analysis was undertaken. Participants report that each element of the time spent in Aboriginal Medical Services is seen as more valuable and worthwhile than in mainstream health services, from social and health sharing experiences in the waiting room to health care in clinical places; and that users feel they can rely on sufficient time and respectful care in their clinical consultation. Purposeful design of both physical and temporal aspects of health services is called for. We suggest re-introducing opportunities for spatiotemporal design in health care that have been limited by the segmented 'person as illness' design features of Australia's current mainstream health system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To compare processes of care and clinical outcomes of community‐based management of TIAs and minor strokes (TIAMS) between rural and metropolitan Australia. Design: Inception cohort study between 2012 and 2016 with 12‐month follow‐up after index event (sub‐study of INSIST). Setting: Hunter and Manning valley regions of New South Wales, within the referral territory of the John Hunter Hospital Acute Neurovascular Clinic (JHHANC). Participants: Consecutive patients of 16 participating general practices, presenting with possible TIAMS to either primary or secondary care. Main Outcome Measures: Processes of care (referrals, key management processes, time‐based metrics) and clinical outcomes. Results: Of 613 participants with possible TIAMS who completed the baseline interview, 298 were adjudicated as having TIAMS (119 from rural, 179 from metropolitan). Mean age was 72.3 years (SD, 10.7) and 127 (43%) were women. Rural participants were more likely to be managed solely by a general practitioner (GP) than metropolitan participants (34% v 20%) and less likely to be referred to a JHHANC specialist (13% v 38%) or have brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) [24% v 51%]. Those rural participants who were referred, also waited longer (both p < 0.001). Recurrent stroke, myocardial infarction and death at 12 months were not significantly different between rural and metropolitan participants. Conclusions: Although TIAMS prognosis in rural settings where solely GP care is common is very good, the processes of care in such areas are inferior to metropolitan. This suggests there is further scope to support rural GPs to optimise care of TIAMS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peer support programmes have been shown to facilitate diabetes prevention and improvements in diabetes self‐management. Worldwide, few studies have qualitatively evaluated peer support programs in inner‐regional (semi‐rural) areas, and none involving mixtures of people with and without diabetes. This study researched an inner‐regional peer support programme underway over 2 years in Australia. Fifteen participants, including ten peers and five peer support facilitators (PSFs) were interviewed using semi‐structured focus group and one‐to‐one interviews with the aim of understanding their perceptions and experiences of the programme, barriers, and ways of overcoming barriers. Participants were those with and without diabetes. The main themes identified were; benefits of the programme, factors affecting recruitment and retention, challenges and barriers to programme participation, PSF reflections on peer support training, and recommendations to improve the programme. Participants identified increased knowledge of diet, diabetes and complications as key benefits, with greater social support and well‐being the main reasons for initial participation. The main challenges for the programme were the lack of wide community engagement before setting up the peer groups, difficulty with peer recruitment and personal difficulties in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The peer support programme was well received within an inner‐regional area and was perceived as useful in providing support and motivation to make lifestyle behavioural changes from shared experiences with peers. Whilst considered beneficial to those with and without diabetes, ways of overcoming identified challenges are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. This study explored the experiences and perceptions of unplanned hospital readmissions from the perspective of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with chronic disease. Method. We conducted semi-structured interviews with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients readmitted to hospital with chronic disease. Interviews covered perceptions of avoidable readmissions, experiences of health care, medications and carer support. Inductive thematic analysis was used to code and analyse the data. Results. Fifteen patients with multiple chronic diseases were interviewed. Several participants believed their readmission was unavoidable due to their poor health, while others considered their readmission was avoidable due to perceived health professional and system failures. Enablers to chronic disease management included the importance of continuity of care and strong family networks, although a few participants struggled with isolation. Four themes emerged as barriers: poor communication from health professionals; low levels of health literacy and adherence to chronic disease management; poor access to community services; and health risk behaviours. Conclusions. The participants in our study identified complex and interacting patient-, environmental-, encounterand organisational-level factors as contributing to chronic disease management and unplanned readmissions. Our findings suggest systemic failures remain in access to basic services and access to culturally appropriate care. Family support and continuity of care were valued by participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic disease is prevalent in rural communities, but access to health care is limited. Allied health intervention, incorporating behaviour change and exercise, may improve health outcomes. PHYZ X 2U is a new service delivery model incorporating face-to-face consultations via a mobile clinic and remote health coaching, delivered by physiotherapy and exercise physiology clinicians and university students on clinical placement, to provide exercise programs to people living with chronic disease in rural New South Wales, Australia. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of PHYZ X 2U by evaluating participants' goal attainment, exercise, quality of life and behaviour change following participation in the 12-week program, and amount of health coaching received. Sixty-two participants with one or more chronic diseases set a total of 123 goals. Thirty-nine (63%) participants completed the program, with 59% of these achieving their goals and 43% progressing in their attitudes and behaviour towards exercise. Weekly exercise increased by 1 h following program participation (P = 0.02), but quality of life remained unchanged (P = 0.24). Participants who completed the program received more health coaching than those lost to follow up. PHYZ X 2U can increase access to allied health for people with chronic disease living in rural and remote areas. Refining the service to maximise program adherence and optimally manage a broad range of chronic diseases is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The number of adults with congenital heart disease has increased with improvements in surgical and medical management, posing a challenge for regional and rural settings, which might have difficulties accessing specialised professionals with congenital heart disease services. This study aims to ascertain the demographics and management of adults with congenital heart disease seen by a cardiology practice in regional Australia to better understand the needs of regional adults with congenital heart disease. Design: A descriptive study using data from clinical notes collected between April 2013 and April 2016. Setting: A private cardiology practice in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales. The practice has a treating cardiologist, senior sonographer, visiting cardiothoracic surgeon and visiting paediatric cardiologist. Participants: One‐hundred‐and‐one adults with congenital heart disease (age: 16–88 years; 55 women). Main outcome measures: Congenital heart disease defect, lesion severity, referral reason, past surgery, pulmonary hypertension, cardiac surgery during the study, mortality, adherence with follow‐up plans and specialist referral. Results: Sixty‐six patients had simple congenital heart disease, 24 had congenital heart disease of moderate complexity and 11 had congenital heart disease of great complexity. Most were referred for surveillance, seven were referred due to pregnancy and eight were new diagnoses. Six patients died, nine had cardiac operations and five were treated for pulmonary arterial hypertension. Overall adherence to the treating cardiologist's follow‐up plans was 84%. All patients with congenital heart disease of great complexity were referred to congenital heart disease specialists. Conclusion: A substantial number of patients had complex pathology, new diagnoses or required surgery, highlighting the importance of developing integrated services with the close support of outside specialists in managing adults with congenital heart disease in regional settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The assessment and management of a patient who refuses medical treatment requires clinical skill, and consideration of the relevant law and the patient's decision-making capacity. Psychiatrists are often asked to advise in these situations. We aimed to develop an algorithm describing the relevant legal pathways to assist clinicians, especially psychiatrists, working in New South Wales (NSW), Australia.Methods: We reviewed the academic literature on treatment refusal, relevant legislation, judicial rulings and NSW Health policy directives and guidelines. We consulted with clinicians and representatives of relevant tribunals.Results: We developed an algorithm for managing patients who refuse medical treatment in NSW. The algorithm emphases the evaluation of decision-making capacity and tracks separate pathways depending upon a person's status under the Mental Health Act 2007 (NSW).Conclusions: The algorithm provides a clear decision tree for clinicians responding to a patient refusing medical treatment in NSW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Multimorbidity and unplanned admissions are common among people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH). Aims: To determine factors predictive of unplanned admission among PWH in regional New South Wales and compare care coordination between people with and without unplanned admissions. Methods: A prospective cohort study of PWH attending a regional human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) service was conducted. Baseline HIV‐specific results and multimorbidity markers including Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS) were assessed as predictors of time to first unplanned admission using Cox regression analysis. Care coordination markers were compared between people with and without unplanned admission, using χ2 statistic for proportions and t‐test for means. Results: A cohort of 181 PWH was followed for a maximum of 5 years. During a total of 739 person‐years of follow up, 39 (20.6%) patients reached the endpoint of unplanned admission. In multivariate analysis, the baseline CIRS score was predictive of unplanned admission (P < 0.001). Age, HIV‐specific markers and missed visits were not predictive of unplanned admission. For patients with an unplanned admission, discharge summaries were documented for 22/39 (56.4%). Of 180 PWH with a visit after baseline, 131 (72.8%) had a letter to a general practitioner and 79 (43.7%) had two or more prescribers. Having two or more prescribers was more common in people with an unplanned admission than in those without (64.1% vs 38.0%, P = 0.004). Conclusion: Unplanned admission among PWH is predicted by multimorbidity. Care for PWH should include coordinated management of other health conditions in order to reduce their severity and prevent unplanned admissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to understand the experience of Chinese migrants living with type 2 diabetes in Australia and explore their culturally specific diabetes management needs, habits and expectations in the Australian context to help shape an Australian Chinese diabetes service. A case study approach was employed across two Australian cities (Melbourne and Sydney), using participant‐observations and qualitative interviews. Purposive sampling was used to find diabetes education sessions for observation and facilitators for interviews before snowball technique was used to identify relevant clinicians. Thematic analysis with pattern matching was used for data analysis. A total of 18 participant‐observations and 12 interviews were conducted. Chinese migrants appeared to experience multiple barriers in accessing the Australian diabetes care service further complicated by the mismatch between the expectations of Chinese patients and the services available. Chinese patients were observed to be collectivistic‐orientated relying on friends for diabetes management. While health professionals appeared to be perceived as a source of reputable health information, they often did not provide ongoing support. When professional support was limited, Chinese patients adopted alternative strategies to address their diabetes, which often involved seeking help and information from peers. Some of this information was non‐reputable, potentially resulting in detrimental health outcomes. In conclusion, redesigning diabetes care services in line with the principles of collectivism may more appropriately match the Chinese migrants’ expectations and needs, and better support them in their diabetes journey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ageing population and increasing prevalence of chronic illness have contributed to the need for significant primary care reform, including increased use of multidisciplinary care and task substitution. This cross-sectional study explores conditions under which older patients would accept having health professionals other than their general practitioner (GP) involved in their care for chronic disease management (CDM). Ten practices were randomly sampled from a contiguous major city and inner regional area. Questionnaires were distributed to consecutive patients aged 60 years and over in each practice. Agency theory was used to inform analyses. Statistical analysis was undertaken using Wald's test, growth modelling and linear regression, controlling for the clustered design. The response rate was 53% (n = 272). Most respondents (79%) had at least one chronic health condition. Respondents were more comfortable with GP than with practice nurse management in the CDM scenario (Wald's test = 105.49, P < 0.001). Comfort with practice nurse CDM was positively associated with increased contact with their GP at the time of the visit (β = 0.41, P < 0.001), negatively associated with the number of the respondent's chronic conditions (β = -0.13, P = 0.030) and not associated with the frequency of other health professional visits. Agency theory suggests that patients employ continuity of care to optimise factors important in CDM: information symmetry and goal alignment. Our findings are consistent with the theory and lend support to ensuring that interpersonal continuity of care is not lost in health care reform. Further research exploring patients' acceptance of differing systems of care is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High rates of both illicit drug use and depression are consistently reported among gay men. However, little is known about how beliefs about drug use shape clinical encounters between gay men and health professionals, and that in turn affect clinical communication and care, particularly in relation to depression. We compared 'doctor' and 'patient' beliefs about the role of illicit drug use in gay men's depression. Semi-structured interviews were conducted during August-December 2006 with 16 general medical practitioners working in seven 'gay-friendly' practices in Sydney, Adelaide and a rural-coastal city in New South Wales, and during February-May 2008 with 40 gay men with depression recruited through four Sydney and Adelaide practices. A thematic analysis of these two sets of interviews found that doctors expressed the beliefs that: illicit drug use is related to depression in gay men; illicit drug use impedes effective diagnosis and treatment of depression in gay men; and illicit drug use increases the level of complexity involved in caring for gay men with depression. Gay men expressed the beliefs that: illicit drug use is closely related to depression; illicit drug use can be helpful in dealing with difficult experiences; and illicit drug use is just what you do as a gay man living in a big city. Both groups believed drug use and depression were related, but doctors emphasised the negative outcomes of drug use and interpreted these in relation to health. Gay men believed that drugs could have both negative and positive uses and differentiated between health and social outcomes. While the doctors articulated a pragmatic position on drug use, which is consistent with harm reduction principles, communication with gay male patients could be enhanced if both groups acknowledged their divergent views of illicit drugs and their potential role in mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eating disorders are a serious debilitating health problem, causing impairments in physical and psychosocial functioning and significantly affecting sufferers' quality of life. New technologies are being developed to meet the diverse treatment needs of people with eating disorders. This qualitative study examined participants' views of an Internet-based self-help programme developed in the Asia-Pacific region for people with eating disorders. The aim of the study was to explore how the self-help programme facilitated individuals' recovery and identify the factors that contribute to the success in the programme. A purposive sample of 12 people with anorexia nervosa (N = 4), bulimia nervosa (N = 2), binge eating disorder (N = 1) and eating disorder not otherwise specified (N = 5) participated in the study. The data were collected primarily by telephone interview. The programme was found to improve individuals' awareness of eating disorders, their motivation, eating disorder symptoms and health. Recovery was enhanced by individuals' determination and motivation to get better, the support available, their perseverance, sense of control, and personal confidence, and facilitating living environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of illness perceptions, as outlined in the Self-Regulatory Model of illness, with depression among individuals diagnosed with lupus. Methods: A mail-out questionnaire was completed by 154 members of the Australia Lupus Foundation and Lupus Foundation of New South Wales. Each questionnaire consisted of a Lupus Medical and Symptoms Questionnaire, the Illness Perceptions Questionnaire-Revised and the Cardiac Depression Scale. Results: Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that individuals who reported a perception of their illness as having negative life consequences, an unpredictable nature and themselves possessing little understanding of lupus, reported high levels of depression. Conclusions: This study indicated the existence of a high level of depressive symptoms among individuals diagnosed with lupus, and reinforces the need for screening procedures in chronic illness, and treatment interventions that target maladaptive illness perceptions. Depression and Anxiety, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Verticillium wilt (VW) is a major constraint to cotton production in Australia and worldwide. The disease is caused by a soilborne fungus, Verticillium dahliae, a highly virulent pathogen on cotton. Commonly, V. dahliae is designated into two pathotypes: defoliating (D) and non-defoliating (ND), based on induced symptoms. In the previous two survey seasons between 2017 and 2019, stems with suspected VW were sampled for the confirmation of presence and distribution of D and ND pathotypes across New South Wales (NSW), Australia. A total of 151 and 84 VW-suspected stems sampled from the 2017/18 and 2018/19 seasons, respectively, were subjected to pathogen isolation. Of these, 94 and 57 stems were positive for V. dahliae; and 18 and 20 stems sampled respectively from the two seasons yielded the D pathotype isolates. Two stems from the 2017/18 season and one stem from 2018/19 season yielded both D and ND pathotype isolates. We also successfully demonstrated the co-infection of both pathotypes in pot trials, which was driven predominantly by either of the pathotypes, and appeared independent on vegetative growth, fecundity and spore germination traits. Our study is the first report of the natural co-occurrence of both D and ND pathotypes in same field-grown cotton plants in NSW, to which a challenge to the disease management will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]