Recovery Outcome Measures: Is There a Place for Culture, Attitudes, and Faith?

PURPOSE: Utilization of the Recovery Knowledge Inventory (RKI) and Recovery Attitudes Questionnaire (RAQ) in southeastern Australia raised questions about the RAQ, including links between attitudes, faith, and culture in supporting the recovery journey. These questions are particularly important when considered in the context of people with mental illness who live in secular multicultural societies. CONCLUSIONS: This paper discusses the cultural appropriateness of the RAQ in Australian settings, and identifies the need to develop rigorous, inclusive recovery outcome measures. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: It is important to identify what best motivates people in their recovery journey, and to find a way to harness these motivating factors to achieve the best possible outcomes

Plain packaging implementation:Perceptions of risk and prestige of cigarette brands among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Abstract Objectives: To assess the impact of plain packaging with larger graphic health warnings on perceptions of risk and prestige related to different cigarette brands among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Australian Capital Territory. We hypothesised that the changes would decrease perceptions that ‘some cigarette brands are more harmful than others’, and that ‘some brands are more prestigious than others’, and this would be stronger among participants aged ≤35 years, and among smokers compared with non‐smokers. Methods: Participants completed the survey prior to packaging changes, and were followed up 12 months later (n=98). Repeated measures ANCOVAs assessed perception changes. Results: Following plain packaging implementation, there was a significant reduction in perceptions that ‘some cigarette brands are more harmful than others’. There was no overall change in perceptions of prestige. However, there was a significant interaction for age. Analyses indicated a reduction in perceptions that ‘some cigarette brands are more prestigious than others’ among younger participants (p=0.05), but no change among older participants (p>0.20). There was no interaction for smoking status for perceptions of prestige, indicating smokers' and non‐smokers' perceptions did not differ on this measure. Conclusions: These findings provide support for the packaging changes

Multi-level rural community engagement in health

Community participation in health is consistent with notions of democracy. A systems perspective of engagement can see consumers engaged to legitimise government agendas. Often community participation is via consultation instead of partnership or delegation. A community development approach to engagement can empower communities to take responsibility for their own health care. Understanding rural place facilitates alignment between health programs and community, assists in incorporating community resources into health care and provides information about health needs. Rural communities, health services and other community organisations need skills in working together to develop effective partnerships that transfer some power from health systems. Rural engagement with national/state agendas is a challenge. Community engagement takes time and resources, but can be expected to lead to better health outcomes for rural residents. <br /