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There will be an increased need for psychologists to provide mental health services in residential aged care facilities. Experience while training is invaluable to improving both confidence and interest in working in this area. Awareness of potential barriers and ethical situations that may impede good mental health care is necessary when providing supervision. This paper reviews issues that supervisors need to be aware of when working with students in this clinical space. Barriers and enablers of clinical placements in residential aged care settings are discussed. Models of care, ethical considerations relating to risk, consent and working systemically, multiple clients, practical difficulties of being off-site and clinical aspects of adapting therapy to residential care settings are identified as key issues related to supervising students. Potential solutions, resources and practical approaches to these issues are also highlighted. A positive approach to the complexities of working in residential aged care settings can lead to quality supervision and clinical care in this much needed area. What is already known about this topic: There is a high degree of mental health issues amongst older adults living in residential aged care. Concerns have been raised about how clinical psychologists will meet future workforce demands. There is a lack of supervisors with experience in providing clinical guidance in this area. What this topic adds: Supervising in residential aged care has been enabled by an increased level of funded psychological services available to aged care residents in Australia. Several unique ethical issues can arise within supervision in residential aged care contexts that need to be discussed with students to improve their competence. There are practical approaches to adapting clinical interventions and working systemically that serve to facilitate a student's placement journey in residential aged care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An evaluation of musculoskeletal risks for users of ophthalmic imaging equipment and subsequent trials based on recommendations by an Ergonomist. An advertisement was posted on ophthalmic imaging social media sites, requesting photographers, who are experiencing pain or discomfort when using the imaging equipment, to contact the author. Responders received a questionnaire that created a profile of the working habits, equipment used, and location of discomfort using diagrams of the torso and hands. The author contacted the Centre for Occupational Health and Wellbeing in Oxford for recommendations and assessment of the imaging equipment. Trials were conducted at the Oxford Eye Hospital imaging department following recommendations by an Ergonomist. Our research has indicated that the number of imaging procedures carried out by a photographer over the duration of their career, may be the key to calculating the risk factors for developing Musculoskeletal Disorders. Ergonomist recommendations include increasing awareness of wrist and hand pain, so it can be treated early with implementation of risk assessment for working practices, as trials carried out at the imaging department in Oxford have shown that small changes contribute to reducing identified risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moving into residential aged care (RAC) is recognised as a major life transition and is associated with adjustment difficulties and depression for many older adults. We developed the Programme to Enhance Adjustment to Residential Living (PEARL) to assist newly admitted residents to adjust to their new environment through the introduction of tailored strategies that meet their psychological needs for autonomy, relatedness, and competence. The structure and content of PEARL is described. Clinical information via three cases are presented to illustrate how the programme facilitates the adjustment and psychological wellbeing of residents following their transition to RAC. The cases highlight the potential benefit of individualised approaches to address the psychological needs of new residents and demonstrate how staff can be assisted to facilitate these needs through a simple, brief intervention. PEARL is a structured step by step programme that can be used by clinicians working in this field. While additional empirical data evaluating the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of this intervention is required, PEARL offers promise as a non-pharmacological approach to address the current high rates of distress and mental health disorders in RAC. What is already known about this topic: (1) Mental health concerns among older adults in permanent residential aged care are common, and many newly admitted residents find it difficult to adjust to an institutional environment. (2) Newly admitted residents should have the opportunity to receive adequate support to meet their psychological needs; however, currently, these needs are poorly met. (3) Previous research has identified factors that can contribute to better adjustment to residential aged care however, there are limited evidenced based programmes that support and assist residents during this transition. What this topic adds: (1) PEARL is a five session, structured, tailored intervention that enables clinicians to collaborate with admitted residents and facility staff in an attempt to meet residents' psychological needs and assist in facilitating their adjustment to residential aged care. (2) Clinical information including the structure and content of PEARL is provided including case studies to illustrate the implementation of the programme. (3) While the clinical approach underpinning PEARL is simple, it represents a major departure from standard care that is potentially feasible for wide-spread use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents clinician's quick guide of evidence-based approaches on psychological treatments for depression and anxiety with older adults living in residential aged care facilities. Topics include individuals are among the most vulnerable in our society, with high rates of depressive and anxiety symptoms; and psychological interventions that have been validated for residential aged care populations include cognitive-behavioral and reminiscence therapies.

Little is known about screening mammography rates among women diagnosed with mental illness-even though some studies have suggested that this population might be particularly vulnerable to breast cancer. The purpose of this pilot study was to identify facilitators and barriers to mammography among women diagnosed with mental illness and/or substance use disorders. Four focus groups were conducted, with a total of 26 women, ages 40–65 years, with mental illness and/or substance use disorders. Analysis was performed using the grounded-theory editing approach. Several major themes emerged from the transcripts: (1) motivators for obtaining mammograms, (2) fears and concerns, (3) shame and embarrassment, (4) the clinical environment, (5) provider-patient communication, and (6) the need for increased patient education. A family history of breast cancer and/or cancer was the most powerful motivator among focus group participants for obtaining a mammogram. Doctor recommendations and referrals were also identified as key facilitating factors. The overall knowledge of mammography and breast cancer among these women suggested educational deficiencies-despite extensive breast cancer screening and awareness campaigns. The findings highlight the importance of patient education as well as the positive effects of physician recommendations to encourage patients to receive breast cancer screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]