Factors shaping intersectoral action in primary health care services

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: [Anaf, J., Baum, F., Freeman, T., Labonte, R., Javanparast, S., Jolley, G., Lawless, A., & Bentley, M. (2014). Factors shaping intersectoral action in primary health care services. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 38, 553-559.], which has been published in final form at DOI:10.1111/1753-6405.12284 . This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.Objective: To examine case studies of good practice in intersectoral action for health as one part of evaluating comprehensive primary health care in six sites in South Australia and the Northern Territory. Methods: Interviews with primary health care workers, collaborating agency staff, and service users (Total N=33); augmented by relevant documents from the services and collaborating partners. Results: The value of intersectoral action for health and the importance of partner relationships to primary health care services were both strongly endorsed. Factors facilitating intersectoral action included sufficient human and financial resources, diverse backgrounds and skills, and the personal rewards that sustain commitment. Key constraining factors were financial and time limitations and a political and policy context which has become less supportive of intersectoral action; including changes to primary health care. Conclusions: While intersectoral action is an effective way for primary health care services to address social determinants of health, commitment to social justice and to adopting a social view of health are constrained by a broader health service now largely reinforcing a biomedical model. Implications: Effective organisational practices and policies are needed to address social determinants of health in primary health care and to provide a supportive context for workers engaging in intersectoral action

Assessing the health impact of transnational corporations: its importance and a framework

BACKGROUND: The adverse health and equity impacts of transnational corporations' (TNCs) practices have become central public health concerns as TNCs increasingly dominate global trade and investment and shape national economies. Despite this, methodologies have been lacking with which to study the health equity impacts of individual corporations and thus to inform actions to mitigate or reverse negative and increase positive impacts. METHODS: This paper reports on a framework designed to conduct corporate health impact assessment (CHIA), developed at a meeting held at the Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center in May 2015. RESULTS: On the basis of the deliberations at the meeting it was recommended that the CHIA should be based on ex post assessment and follow the standard HIA steps of screening, scoping, identification, assessment, decision-making and recommendations. A framework to conduct the CHIA was developed and designed to be applied to a TNC's practices internationally, and within countries to enable comparison of practices and health impacts in different settings. The meeting participants proposed that impacts should be assessed according to the TNC's global and national operating context; its organisational structure, political and business practices (including the type, distribution and marketing of its products); and workforce and working conditions, social factors, the environment, consumption patterns, and economic conditions within countries. CONCLUSION: We anticipate that the results of the CHIA will be used by civil society for capacity building and advocacy purposes, by governments to inform regulatory decision-making, and by TNCs to lessen their negative health impacts on health and fulfil commitments made to corporate social responsibility.IS

Mixing research methods in health professional degrees: thoughts for undergraduate students and supervisors

This commentary considers some of the challenges of applying mixed methods research in undergraduate research degrees, especially in professions with a clinical health focus. Our experience in physiotherapy academia is used as an example. Mixed methods research is increasingly appreciated in its own right as a third paradigm, however the success of educating novice researchers in mixing methods requires reflection on a range of theoretical and practical issues. We explore some of the under-reported features of mixed methods on a theoretical level, including the use of terminology, and the challenge of research labels, and on a practical level, the benefits of including mixing methods in clinical research and the issue of appropriate examination. Key Words: Mixed Methods, Student Research, and Qualitative and Quantitative

A Novel Approach to the Safe and Effective Mobilization of a Super-Obese Patient: A Case Report

Purpose: The incidence of obesity is rising worldwide, as is the presentation of these patients to the acute hospital setting. As a result of their complex nature, including medical co-morbidities, psychosocial issues, and healthcare resource limitations, management of these patients requires a coordinated and intensive multi-disciplinary approach. Although there are considerable data reporting the surgical management of obese patients, there is very limited literature regarding non-surgical interventions, including approaches to safe and effective mobilization. Methods: A case report is presented of a 55-year-old super-obese male transferred to a major tertiary referral healthcare centre for management of his overall medical condition and rehabilitation. As a result of the patient’s inability to tolerate the supine position because of central obesity, a novel approach to mobilization was undertaken whereby a bariatric tilt-table was used to facilitate standing and walking from the semi-prone position. This mobilization program was led by a physiotherapist with support and input from the multi-disciplinary team. Conclusion: It was safely and effectively implemented and enabled the patient to be discharged to his desired rural location

Difference and Similarity of Continuous Assessment in Malaysian and Nigerian Universities

The study will clarify the Continous Assessment (C.A.) and also outlining the advantages and disadvantages of the Continous Assessment, categorization and problems of the Continous Assessment. The Malaysian system of curriculum according to OBE will be discussed. The history of Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) curriculum will also be looked into. The characteristics and history of OBE also to be discussed. Its problem, weakness and benefits will also be analysed. The similarities and difference of the Continous Assessment in Nigerian and Malaysian Universities will be discussed. Also, what both countries can benefit from each other and improve is highlighted. Keywords: Continous Assessment (C.A.), Similarity and difference in CA, OBE, Advantages and Disadvantages of C.A., Nigeria, Malaysia

Preservation of mixed-media objects : an online decision-support tool

Poster presented at ICOM-CC Beijing : Trascending bounderies: integrated approaches to conservation, 17-21 May 2021Poster team : Elke Otten (KIK-IRPA), Willemien Anaf (KIK-IRPA), Marjolijn Debulpaep (KIK-IRPA), José Luiz Pedersoli Jr. (ICCROM, Rome

A mixed methods feasibility study to evaluate the use of a low-intensity, nurse-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome

Introduction: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is characterised by symptoms such as abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea and bloating. These symptoms impact on health-related quality of life, result in excess service utilisation and are a significant burden to healthcare systems. Certain mechanisms which underpin IBS can be explained by a biopsychosocial model which is amenable to psychological treatment using techniques such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). While current evidence supports CBT interventions for this group of patients, access to these treatments within the UK healthcare system remains problematic. Methods and analysis: A mixed methods feasibility randomised controlled trial will be used to assess the feasibility of a low-intensity, nurse-delivered guided self-help intervention within secondary care gastrointestinal clinics. A total of 60 participants will be allocated across four treatment conditions consisting of: high-intensity CBT delivered by a fully qualified cognitive behavioural therapist, low-intensity guided self-help delivered by a registered nurse, self-help only without therapist support and a treatment as usual control condition. Participants from each of the intervention arms of the study will be interviewed in order to identify potential barriers and facilitators to the implementation of CBT interventions within clinical practice settings. Quantitative data will be analysed using descriptive statistics only. Qualitative data will be analysed using a group thematic analysis.N/

Female migration and employment : a case study in Kecamatan Pasar Rebo, Jakarta

The main purpose of this study is to examine female migration to Kecamatan Pasar Rebo (Pasar Rebo District) focussing on the characteristics, pattern, motivation, activity and occupation of female migrants in Pasar Rebo. In this study, tables relating to Pasar Rebo are based on the original analysis of a data tape obtained from the National Institute of Social and Economic Research, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LEKNAS-LIPl). The analysis i3 based on two samples, female migrant workers and housewcrkers. Within workers the main group analysed was female factory workers while other workers were analysed largely for comparison. In the analysis, factory workers were defined as including only the production and related workers in the factory, while higher position factory workers together with non-factory workers were classified as 'other workers'. The women who were classified as housewcrkers were women whose activity during the one week previous to interview was to maintain a household. The analysis of female migrants in Pasar Rebo included only life-time migrants, whose birth place was in other provinces of Jakarta