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Universities are placing increased attention on providing students with ePortfolios and online teaching platforms to enhance learning and employability. This paper reports on a study which aimed to investigate the views of dietetics students on the usefulness of PebblePad as a learning platform and ePortfolio tool for evidencing graduate competency and enhancing employability. This research was conducted within a multi-component design-based research framework. PebblePad was introduced to the Griffith University Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics four-year degree in 2016 as part of the eDGE project (ePortfolios for Dietetics Graduate Employability). Students enrolled in 1st and 3rd year courses utilising PebblePad in 2016 and 2017 were invited to complete an online survey at the conclusion of each course. Surveys were completed by 116 students (2016 n=50; 2017 n=66). Students perceived that PebblePad could impact on their employability through demonstrating their learning as well as assisting their understanding and competency development as a professional. This was more evident in 3rd year students than 1st year. The aspects of PebblePad perceived as most beneficial for employability were the ability to: 1) collate experiences and assessment; 2) evidence dietetics competencies via 'tagging'; and 3) facilitate reflection. The least beneficial aspects were: 1) usability and navigation of PebblePad; 2) lack of clarity around using PebblePad to evidence employability; and 3) belief that required reflections were excessive. ePortfolios and learning platforms such as PebblePad are perceived by students to be useful for evidencing employability. Potential improvements in assessment design could further enhance their use.

Electronic portfolios (ePortfolios) are increasingly being used in university degrees to showcase graduate employability. However, evidence on employers' views and use of ePortfolios has not been synthesised. This study aimed to systematically review the evidence on employer, industry representative and university educator views on the use of ePortfolios in recruiting graduates, including recommended ePortfolio content. Six databases were searched to identify original research on views and utilisation of ePortfolios published since 2000. Studies were screened in duplicate, and the full texts of 163 articles reviewed. Included studies were synthesised to reveal common themes. The 17 included studies represented a range of industries and most were conducted in the USA (n=10). Awareness of ePortfolios was low, as was use within recruitment. Perceived advantages of ePortfolios in recruitment included showcasing key skills/work; ability to comprehensively assess and differentiate between candidates quickly; and accessibility. The main disadvantages were the time taken to review, excessive information and establishing authenticity. Recommended ePortfolios content included samples of professional work, reflections, videos and photos. Inclusion of typical resume content, work experience, skills, transcripts, certificates, references, supervisor evaluations were important, as was a clear and concise structure.

The underlying tenet of evidence-based decision-making in health services is assessing all the relevant evidence. Using the traditional qualitative and quantitative approaches to identifying evidence may not capture the full spectrum of factors that need to be addressed. A selective mixed-method approach may provide a comprehensive assessment of the relevant knowledge. This paper adds to the methodological literature by outlining a novel sequential, mixed-method, exploratory process for identifying evidence-based data standards that may be used for health service decision-making. The three-phase process, entitled Delphi Plus, engages peer-nominated topic-specific experts to assess all publicly available and practice-based items and, through a series of reviews, reach an evidence-based consensus on standards for decision-making. Each process phase is outlined in-depth and supplemented by practical learnings gained through its implementation. The Delphi Plus methodology provides the first comprehensive process for combining the published and practised data to develop evidence-based data standards. The routine use of Delphi Plus would provide a framework for benchmarking in health services, enabling greater monitoring and evaluation of client outcomes and improving quality care. This manuscript describes the process of implementing Delphi Plus and provides an example of data standards generated from its use, which directly inform the Australian Government's Primary Health Care 10 Year Plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Healthcare needs of the Australian population are changing, providing an opportunity for dietitians to embrace innovation and entrepreneurship to meet evolving demands. This study explored the expectations and experiences of participants in a 12‐month mentoring circle designed to provide entrepreneurship learning and formal mentoring for the Provisional Accredited Practising Dietitians Program. Methods: A qualitative study design was employed. New graduate dietitians (<2 years) participating in the Entrepreneurial Dietetics Mentoring Circle in 2019, 2020 or 2021 were invited to participate. Baseline demographic and employment data were collected via survey. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted before mentoring circle session 1 (baseline) and after the final session (completion), exploring insights into participant expectations and experiences in entrepreneurship. Thematic analysis, using methods outlined by Braun and Clark, was conducted to identify themes and subthemes. Results: Twenty‐eight dietitians participated (85% of mentees). Participants were mostly female (89%), less than 12 months post‐graduation (75%), registered as Provisional Accredited Practising Dietitians (82%) and employed at least part‐time (55%). Forty five interviews were conducted (28 baseline, 18 completion). Themes developed were: (1) entrepreneurial career path as a deliberate choice; (2) the value of being prepared for entrepreneurial careers; and (3) the importance of networks to support entrepreneurship. Conclusion: The mentoring circle at this single university was seen by participants as supporting their transition into entrepreneurial careers, while meeting their requirement to be formally mentored through their Provisional status. Future research could consider the applicability of the mentoring circle model across a wider graduate population to support innovative practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To test a model of malnutrition screening and assessment conducted by dietetics students on placement in residential aged care facilities. The secondary aim was to identify possible facilitators and barriers to the implementation of the model. Method: The type 1 hybrid effectiveness‐implementation trial study design and reporting outcomes were developed using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. An innovative placement model was developed, where students on voluntary placement visited three residential aged care facilities to identify residents at risk of malnutrition using currently available screening tools for older people. Students completed malnutrition assessments for all residents using the subjective global assessment tool. Results: Thirty‐two students participated; 31 completed all three sessions, with malnutrition screening completed for 207 residents and malnutrition assessment for 187 residents (July and September 2022). Based on the subjective global assessment, 31% (n = 57) of residents were mildly/moderately malnourished, and 3% (n = 5) were severely malnourished. The Innovation Domain of the Framework was the most important consideration before implementation. Conclusion: Whilst previous research documented student learning opportunities in residential aged care facilities, this study provides the first available evidence of the direct contribution students can make to the health of aged care residents through malnutrition screening and assessment. The model enables students to conduct malnutrition screening and assessment feasibly and efficiently in facilities that do not routinely collate and act on these data. With a limited nursing aged care workforce to undertake this vital task, the potential role of student dietitians to fulfil this role must be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term or residential services are designed to support older people who experience challenges to their physical and mental health. These services play an important role in the health and well-being of older adults who are more susceptible to problems such as malnutrition. Estimates of the significance of malnutrition require up-to-date prevalence data to inform government strategies and regulation, but these data are not currently available in Australia. The aim of this study was to collect malnutrition prevalence data on a large sample of people living in residential aged care facilities in Australia. A secondary aim was to examine the relationship between malnutrition and anthropometry (body mass index (BMI) and weight loss). This prevalence study utilised baseline data collected as part of a longitudinal study of malnutrition in 10 Residential Aged Care facilities across three states in Australia (New South Wales, South Australia, and Queensland). The malnutrition status of eligible residents was assessed by dietitians and trained student dietitians using the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) with residents categorised into SGA-A = well nourished, SGA-B = mildly/moderately malnourished, and SGA-C = severely malnourished. Other data were extracted from the electronic record. Of the 833 listed residents, 711 residents were eligible and had sufficient data to be included in the analysis. Residents were predominantly female (63%) with a mean (SD) age of 84 (8.36) years and a mean (SD) BMI of 26.74 (6.59) kg/m2. A total of 40% of residents were categorised as malnourished with 34% (n = 241) categorised as SGA-B, and 6% (n = 42) SGA-C. Compared to the SGA, BMI and weight loss categorisation of malnutrition demonstrated low sensitivity and high specificity. These findings provide recent, valid data on malnutrition prevalence and highlight the limitations of current Australian practices that rely on anthropometric measures that under-detect malnutrition. There is an urgent need to implement a feasible aged care resident screening program to address the highly prevalent condition of malnutrition in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Dietitians work in high‐pressure environments and student dietitians attend placement in these settings. Resilience is a personal quality that can buffer against the stressors of professional placement; however, little is known about how dietetics students learn resilience. This study aimed to describe how resilience is embedded within Australian and New Zealand dietetics curricula. Methods: This three‐phased qualitative study examined 18 credentialed dietetics education programs in Australia (n = 16) and New Zealand (n = 2). In Phase 1 (document analysis), publicly available curricular documents were screened for key resilience terms. In Phase 2, academics were invited to participate in a semi‐structured interview on Microsoft Teams to verify and advance upon documentary evidence. Extracted data were combined and evaluated according to Bloom's Taxonomy in Phase 3. Results: Fifty‐six courses were found to have documented mentions of resilience factors from dietetics programs in Australia and New Zealand. Academics from 14 universities (12 Australia and 2 New Zealand) were interviewed. Three themes were identified from Phase 3: Resilience is valuable content within a dietetics degree, Resilience can be taught indirectly throughout programs and Resilience education is not static. Resilience education was mostly taught by academic dietitians in courses prior to placement and assessed by students completing self‐reflection while on placement. The documentation of resilience within learning objectives and graduate attributes varied between universities. Conclusion: While all dietetics programs included some resilience curricula, academics acknowledged that resilience content and their own knowledge base could be strengthened. The findings provide direction for program improvements and further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To assess the feasibility of implementing data standards in Australian primary care dietetics practices. Methods: A mixed‐methods pragmatic study of dietitians working in primary care. Using a four‐point Likert scale, participants were surveyed on their baseline use of the 45 business and 33 clinical evidenced‐based data standards. The content validity index and kappa statistic for each standard were calculated with a kappa statistic of 0.60–0.74 considered 'Good' and > 0.74 'Excellent'. After 4 weeks of assessment, dietitians were surveyed on the feasibility of implementing each standard and standards in total. Qualitative feedback on enablers and barriers to implementing standards was gathered and triangulated with interviews with select participants. Results: Forty‐five dietitians from every Australian state and territory completed both surveys (response rate: 100%). At baseline, 24% of business and 79% of clinical standards were rated 'Good' or 'Excellent' for current usage. The feasibility of implementing standards was rated 'Good' or 'Excellent for 86% of the business and 97% of the clinical standards. Software, training and time limitations are enablers and barriers to implementing standards. Conclusion: Embedding data standards within dietetics practices are feasible and have broad applicability for assessing outcomes of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To explore the attitudes and experiences of allied health students working with older adults on residential aged care placements. Method: A systematic literature search was conducted to identify studies of any design describing allied health student experience of residential aged care placements. Online databases searched to identify potentially relevant documents included Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, CINAHL Complete (EBSCOhost) and Health and Medicine (ProQuest). Studies were excluded if residential aged care facilities or allied health professional students could not be extracted from the data. No restrictions were applied to methodological design, language, geographical location or year of publication. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used to assess methodological quality. Extracted studies were analysed to identify the study design, participant and placement characteristics, study methodology and student experience measures. Data from the included studies were analysed thematically using meta‐synthesis. Results: Six studies (total number of participants, n = 308) met inclusion criteria, with four papers scoring a 5/5 on the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Studies included undergraduate and master's students from physiotherapy (n = 3), speech language pathology (n = 2), dietetics (n = 1) and audiology (n = 1). Placement length varied from two to 15 h, between one and six residential aged care visits. Three themes were identified; (1) Opportunity to improve skills and gain confidence, (2) Development of empathy and shift in attitudes towards older adults and (3) Recognised challenges associated with older adults and residential aged care settings. Conclusion: While the size of the evidence‐base is limited, the studies were largely consistent in demonstrating an increase in positive attitudes towards older adults following residential aged care placements. Future research, innovations and planning around workforce size, preparation and motivation must be prioritised to ensure older adults receive the care they need and deserve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Australia, Indigenous children have rates of overweight and obesity 1.5 times those of non-Indigenous children. Culturally safe and effective nutrition interventions are needed for this group. This paper aims to describe a Community-based Participatory Action Research (CPAR) approach to designing formative nutrition intervention research with First Australian children and their families and to reflect on the challenges arising from this process. After obtaining ethical approvals, a Steering Committee (SC), including nine Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experienced in delivering or receiving health care, was established as a project governance body to develop culturally safe project materials and methods. The Indigenous research method of yarning circles was chosen by the SC for the community consultation, and the First Australian SC members were trained to collect the data. They liaised with community organizations to recruit yarning circle participants. Individual interviews conducted by an Aboriginal research assistant replaced yarning circles due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. While the CPAR approach to formative research was successful, the pandemic and other factors tripled the study duration. To authentically, ethically and safely engage First Australians in research, researchers need to decolonize their methodological approach, and funding bodies need to allow adequate time and resources for the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]