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Objective(s): To understand Australian health professionals' perceptions of their knowledge and previous training about frailty, as well as barriers to frailty assessment and management in their practice. Methods: A cross‐sectional online survey was developed and distributed to health professionals (medical, nursing and allied health) engaged in clinical practice in Australia through convenience and snowball sampling techniques from March to May 2022. The survey consisted of five sections: frailty training and knowledge; confidence in recognising and managing adults with frailty; the importance and relevance of frailty; barriers to assessing and managing frailty in practice; and interest in further frailty training. Responses were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: The survey was taken by 736 health professionals. Less than half of respondents (44%, 321/733) reported receiving any training on frailty, with 14% (105/733) receiving training specifically focussed on frailty. Most respondents (78%, 556/712) reported 'good' or 'fair' understanding of frailty. The majority (64%, 448/694) reported being 'fairly' or 'somewhat' confident with identifying frailty. Almost all respondents (>90%) recognised frailty as having an important impact on outcomes and believed that there are beneficial interventions for frailty. Commonly reported barriers to frailty assessment in practice included 'lack of defined protocol for managing frailty' and 'lack of consensus about which frailty assessment tool to use'. Most respondents (88%, 521/595) were interested in receiving further education on frailty, with a high preference for online training. Conclusions: The findings suggest frailty is important to health professionals in Australia, and there is a need for and interest in further frailty education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, many museums and galleries are attempting to create more welcoming and meaningful experiences for individuals who tend to be reluctant to enter and participate in these institutions. Art galleries and museums are examining and experimenting with ways to connect diverse publics through socially inclusive community outreach programs. This paper provides a critical examination of one such program located in Montreal, Canada. (Contains 1 endnote and 2 figures.)

The aim of the current study was to understand service users' experiences at a recently established student-led interprofessional neurodevelopmental clinic for children and adolescents with suspected or confirmed prenatal alcohol exposure. Semi-structured interviews were completed at 3-months post-clinic attendance with 10 service users: eight parents/caregivers and two youth workers/case managers. Interview data were analysed thematically using NVivo12. Four main themes were developed: (1) clinic attendance seen as a positive event; (2) validation, clarification, and relief, but also challenges post-assessment; (3) need for further support and importance of advocacy; and (4) drawing on lived experiences for future service improvements. The current study demonstrated that service users reported benefits from tailored services delivered by student practitioners that were validating, supportive, and holistic. Findings from the current study can inform the development and implementation of future innovative service delivery models for individuals with suspected or confirmed prenatal alcohol exposure. People with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) can experience a range of neurocognitive impairments that impact their day-to-day living. Access to assessment, early diagnosis, and appropriate supports are important protective factors associated with improved outcomes for individuals with FASD. Results highlighted the benefits to rehabilitation professionals of listening to service users to understand the complexity of their lived experiences, including how this information can be used to improve service design and delivery. Results also highlighted the potential role of incorporating student-led clinics within models of healthcare and rehabilitation service delivery. Utilising student-led clinics can help to increase access to specialised services for underserved groups in our community, combat shortages in the health workforce, reduce burden on the public health system, and educate the future of rehabilitation professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Developing effective strategies for reducing dementia risk requires a detailed understanding of the risk and protective factors associated with the progression of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to dementia. Objective: We aimed to systematically review the evidence for sex differences in these factors. Methods: Five online databases (PubMed/CINAHL/EMBASE/PsycINFO/Cochrane) were searched from inception until 17 October 2022 for cohort studies that focused on sex differences in risk and protective factors in the progression of MCI to dementia. Results: A total of 2,972 studies were identified, of which 12 studies from five countries were included in the systematic review. There was substantial variability in study designs, study populations and outcome measures. Sex differences were present in the associations of sociodemographic, health, psychological factors, genetic and other biomarkers with the progression of MCI to dementia. APOE ɛ4 status and depression appeared to increase the risk of progression for females, whereas history of stroke, MRI markers and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers appeared to increase the risk of progression for males. APOE ɛ2 status and marital status (unmarried) were observed to reduce risk of progression in males and females, respectively. Conclusions: The ability of studies to accurately detail risk factors for dementia are likely limited when solely controlling for the effects of sex. Although the heterogeneity and underpowered nature of the studies made it difficult to synthesize the findings for each risk factor, this study highlights the apparent need for further research examining risk factors for dementia in males and females with MCI separately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) is a known risk factor for a range of adverse outcomes, such as facial dysmorphism, adverse birth outcomes, and neurodevelopmental changes. Preclinical research shows that PAE also inhibits lung development, lowers surfactant protein expression, has detrimental effects on alveolar macrophages, and decreases both T and B cell numbers. However, clinical evidence of respiratory impacts from PAE is limited. This study explored whether lung function, wheeze, and incidence of respiratory infections differ in children with PAE compared with unexposed children. Methods: Data from the Barwon Infant Study (n = 1074) were examined. PAE data were extracted from maternal questionnaires at trimesters 1 and 2 (combined), and trimester 3, and included as "total standard drinks" during each trimester and total pregnancy intake, a binary yes/no for PAE, and binge drinking (>5 standard drinks in one session). Respiratory outcomes were parent‐reported wheeze, lung function (measured by multiple breath washout), and parent report and medical record indicators of health service attendances for respiratory conditions. Linear and logistic regressions were performed to quantify relationships between PAE and respiratory outcomes, controlling for socioeconomic status, birthweight, sex, gestational age, and maternal smoking. Results: Binge drinking was associated with increased health service attendance for respiratory condition(s) in the first 12 months of life (OR = 5.0, 95% CI (1.7, 20.7), p = 0.008). We did not find a relationship between binary PAE and binge drinking with lung function at 4 weeks of age or wheeze at 12 months. The number of standard drinks consumed in trimester two was associated with a lower lung clearance index (β = −0.011 turnovers, 95% CI (−0.0200, −0.0013), p = 0.03), and a small increase in functional residual capacity (β = 0.34 mL, 95% CI (0.02, 0.66), p = 0.04). Conclusions: We found an association between binge drinking and health service utilization for respiratory conditions in infancy, but no evidence that low‐level PAE was associated with adverse respiratory outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]