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Presents a study in which fourth-year Australian medical students were assigned to either a problem-based learning or case-based learning tutorial group that focused on eating disorders. Reports that there was not a significant difference between the two groups of students related to performance or acquired knowledge. Includes references. (CMK)

There is growing concern for the health and wellbeing of paramedic students who are required to undertake work integrated learning (WIL) in the ambulance setting to become a registered paramedic. Paramedic culture, barriers to help seeking, and difficulty in accessing peer support is limiting their ability to express emotions and cope with workplace stress. This study aimed to examine whether participation in a peer social support group, using the CARES skills framework, changed paramedic students' emotional expression and emotion-focused coping. A convenience sample of seventy-eight participants were recruited from a paramedic program at a single regional university in Australia. Due to small participant numbers third year students were assigned to the intervention group (n = 44) and second year students were assigned to the control group (n = 34). The intervention group received training on how to undertake a peer social support group using the skills embedded in the CARES framework and were encouraged to meet every two weeks over a twelve-week period. All participants completed online surveys consisting of the DASS-21 stress subscale, General Help Seeking Questionnaire, Emotional Approach Coping Scale, Emotional Expressivity Scale and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support in week 1 and in week 12. Findings suggest that peer social support participation significantly increased emotional expression and emotion-focused coping when compared to the control group. Furthermore, this intervention significantly reduced participants' reliance upon help seeking without a significant increase in external social support. This is the first known study to investigate the role of peer social support amongst paramedic students, and the findings provide new information on how to help individuals cope with the stressors of working in the ambulance setting. Future studies should investigate whether the positive effects of peer social support are consistent over time and focus on minimising sampling issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses articles in the issue on topics including objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs); psychology training; and curriculum content to specifying required competencies.

Aims: The aims of the current study were to: (i) report on the diagnostic profile of a group of children assessed for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) using the Australian Guide to the Diagnosis of FASD; and (ii) to provide information and recommendations for paediatricians and/or multidisciplinary teams conducting FASD assessments, including utilising the Australian Guide to the Diagnosis of FASD, and details of how to do FASD assessment.Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted using relevant demographic and diagnostic data from children assessed for FASD within a community child development service.Results: Results showed the widespread impact of FASD on the brain, with all children showing some level of impairment in at least 5 out of 10 of the neurodevelopmental domains assessed for FASD. Majority of children were diagnosed with co-morbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, however, many additional co-morbid diagnoses were evident.Conclusions: The current study detailed the profile of children assessed for FASD and was the first to report the diagnostic profile of children assessed using the Australian Guide to the Diagnosis of FASD within a community child development service. Several recommendations are provided to assist paediatricians and multidisciplinary teams involved in child development assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to summarise the initial experiences of Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). It highlights some of the main challenges being faced by participants, service providers and government, and demonstrates how research can contribute to the ongoing implementation and success of the scheme.Design/methodology/approach The historical basis for the need for a new approach to disability funding in Australia is explored. The opportunities that exist and the difficulties that are being encountered by those entering and working within the new scheme are discussed.Findings Several problems were identified including difficult transitions between existing support frameworks to new “NDIS plans”, and the risk of market failure. Both the problems and their solutions are discussed and it is hoped that collaboration between the Commonwealth Government, service users, their families, service providers and universities can lead to a number of lasting improvements.Practical implications The new funding framework provides exciting opportunities for increasing the funding of people with intellectual and physical disabilities in Australia. Developments in technology, service provision in rural and remote areas and the opportunity to meet aspirational life goals exist alongside a number of challenges, including the need to ensure that those with multiple and complex disabilities retain existing levels of support.Originality/value The implementation of the NDIS is still underway, and opportunities exist to implement changes to the scheme where required. Research findings have an important role to play in the national debate regarding how best to improve quality of life for people with a disability in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors assessed the degree to which unemployed individuals identified with an unemployed 'in-group' and the subsequent impact on readiness to change their unemployed status. Participants from 2 Australian employment agencies completed the Group Identification Scale and the Lam Assessment on Stages of Employment Readiness measure. Findings suggest that the extent of family unemployment affects unemployed in-group identification and predicts readiness to change unemployed status. Duration of unemployment was negatively correlated with readiness to change. Results suggest that unemployed individuals form an in-group. Interventions to assist unemployed individuals to return to the workforce should take this into account for effectiveness to be maximized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is of significant concern for Australians for many reasons, one being Australia's drinking culture which increases the potential for FASD to occur.Aims: The current study aimed to explore the lived experiences of Australian caregivers who received a FASD diagnosis for a child in their care, usingthe Australian Guide to the Diagnosis of FASD.Methods and Procedures: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven caregivers whose children were assessed for FASD by a multidisciplinary team. Interviews explored how families experienced the FASD diagnostic process, and sought insight into outcomes for families following diagnosis, particularly in relation to accessing supports and services.Outcomes and Results: Through thematic analysis, five overarching themes were identified: (1) receiving a FASD diagnosis had a positive impact; (2) caregivers' evaluation of assessment process; (3) positive support services relative to FASD; (4) ongoing difficulties regardless of diagnosis; and (5) need for societal knowledge of FASD.Conclusions and Implications: Given the global need for standardised FASD diagnostic procedures and accurate reporting of prevalence rates, the current study provides a contribution to the emerging diagnostic FASD literature, and insight into families' experiences who have children diagnosed with FASD.What This Paper Adds: This study provides additional information to the developing pool of literature attempting to create a typical profile of FASD. Most importantly, this paper highlights the implementation of the Australian Guide to the Diagnosis of FASD, and evaluates caregivers' experiences of their child's FASD assessment process, within a public FASD diagnostic service, using the revised guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a highly prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder associated with prenatal alcohol exposure. Early identification can improve functioning for individuals and reduce costs to society. Gold standard methods of diagnosing FASD rely on specialists to deliver intensive, multidisciplinary assessments. While comprehensive, prevalence rates highlight that this assessment model cannot meet demand, nor is it feasible in remote areas where specialist services are lacking. This project aims to expand the capabilities of remote practitioners in north Queensland, Australia, where 23-94% of the community identify as First Nations people. Integrating cultural protocols with the implementation science theories of Knowledge-To-Action, Experience-Based Co-Design, and RE-AIM, remote practitioners with varying levels of experience will be trained in a co-designed, culturally appropriate, tiered neurodevelopmental assessment process that considers FASD as a potential outcome. This innovative assessment process can be shared between primary and tertiary health care settings, improving access to services for children and families. This project aims to demonstrate that neurodevelopmental assessments can be integrated seamlessly with established community practices and sustained through evidence-based workforce development strategies.Methods: The Yapatjarrathati project (named by the local First Nations community and meaning 'to get well') is a mixed-method implementation trial of a tiered assessment process for identifying FASD within a remote Australian community. In collaboration with the community, we co-designed: (a) a culturally sensitive, tiered, neurodevelopmental assessment process for identifying FASD, and (b) training materials that up-skill remote practitioners with varying levels of expertise. Qualitative interviews for primary, secondary and end users will be undertaken to evaluate the implementation strategies. RE-AIM will be used to evaluate the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation and maintenance of the assessment and training process.Discussion: Co-designed with the local community, integrated with cultural protocols, and based on implementation science theories, the assessment and training process from this project will have the potential to be scaled-up across other remote locations and trialed in urban settings. The Yapatjarrathati project is an important step towards increasing the availability of neurodevelopmental services across Australia and empowering remote practitioners to contribute to the FASD assessment process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyzes the effects of aesthetic and functional idealized images on men's body satisfaction. It describes body-as-process (BAP) and body-as-object (BAO) images. It mentions the results measuring the mood, body satisfaction and trait measures of body image of men following viewing of BAP, BAO scenery images. It reveals the lowered levels of fitness and overall appearance satisfaction caused by BAP image viewing, and trait and fitness as predictors of BAP condition.

Introduction: There is a lack of neurodevelopmental assessment services in rural and remote locations in Australia that consider fetal alcohol spectrum disorder as a possible outcome.Methods: Eighty-seven participants attended a workshop to support community-based professional development and co-design of a novel assessment approach. Qualitative data collection included video recording of the workshop, and small group discussions, for which a narrative analysis was utilised. Quantitative data collection included self-report questionnaires to understand current community practices and three key constructs: practitioner knowledge, attitudes, and intentions for future practice.Results: The narrative analysis highlighted the ongoing impacts of colonisation, in terms of intergenerational trauma and alcohol use, experienced in the community today, and the potential high rates of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. To address these issues, multiple strategies were discussed, including the recognition of First Nations knowledge and expertise and a focus on the next generation and community organisations working collaboratively. The pre-and post-questionnaires demonstrated that practitioners' knowledge and attitudes were enhanced after attending the workshop, however practitioner intentions were not. The lack of significance for the intentions variable may have been due to the small number of available responses for that variable, in comparison to the other two constructs.Discussion: The current study identified key learnings from workshop facilitators and participants. The findings call attention to the importance of a co-design approach, where collaboration is vital to support the appropriate adaption of evidence-based practice to suit the local context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to integrate cultural considerations and developmental screening into a First Nations child health check. The 'Share and Care Check,' an optimised child health check, was co-designed with a remote Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and led by Aboriginal Health Practitioners/Workers. Of 55 families who completed the Share and Care Check, the majority of participants indicated that their family/child was connected with their tribe and country. However, half of the caregivers reported that they or their child would like to know more about their tribe. The most common developmental screening outcome was no functional concerns (32.7%), followed by having one area identified as a functional concern (24.5%) and two functional concerns (16.3%). All caregivers reported that the Share and Care Check was culturally appropriate, and the majority also reported that it was helpful. Data obtained from questions regarding cultural and developmental aspects of health can assist health providers regarding the best pathway of support for a child and their family. This could ultimately contribute to closing the gap through the provision of holistic culturally appropriate services.