Fishing futures

This policy brief focuses on fisheries and provides three perspectives: one, an overview of the underlying causes of overfishing; two, a discussion on the recent efforts of Australia to put its Commonwealth fisheries on a sustainable management path; and three, the challenges faced by our Pacific neighbours in managing valuable and migratory tuna fisheries. The contents are: Too few fish and too many boats by R. Quentin Grafton Getting things right: structural adjustment in Australia’s Commonwealth fisheries by Tom Kompas Ensuring sustainable fisheries in the Pacific by Kate Barcla

Indian physiotherapists' global Mobility: a grounded theory journey of professional identity transformation

In the last decade over a thousand Indian physiotherapists have travelled to work or study overseas. Published literature investigates the global mobility of doctors and nurses but there is no literature that considers the global migration of physiotherapists from developing countries. The purpose of this study was to understand the motivations and aspirations underpinning the Indian physiotherapists' global mobility. Nineteen Indian physiotherapists were interviewed in English individually or in focus groups. The data was collected and analysed using constructivist grounded theory methods. The findings suggest that Indian physiotherapists travelled overseas for professional development, they sought knowledge, skills and experience that they perceived were not available in India. Many sought experience of autonomous physiotherapy practice. They aspired to a better life, through better professional practice, increased respect and pay. Indian societal values amplified the importance of pay and respect for male physiotherapists, whereas females prioritised professional development. All aspired to professional autonomy and planned to return to India once their travel objectives were met. Behind the motivations for travel was a discourse of challenge and turmoil for physiotherapy in India, where they have no legal professional recognition. The grounded theory constructed posits that the Indian physiotherapists' global mobility is a journey of professional identity transformation that consists of four stages 'forming', 'storming', 'transforming' and 'returning'. Identity formation occurs through professional socialisation during their degree training. 'Storming' occurs as they transition into work and experience a disjuncture between their nascent physiotherapy identity and the workplace role expectations. This leads to frustration as they aspire to autonomous practice and an autonomous professional identity; they hear that physiotherapy is different overseas. Transformation occurs through overseas professional development and experience of autonomous practice. Successful return to India is dependent upon returnees transferring and integrating their new professional identity back to the Indian physiotherapy context

Psychometric testing of the Maltese versions of the Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale and Exercise Motivation Inventory – 2

BACKGROUND: Consideration of psychological factors towards exercise participation is important, especially when placed within a cultural context. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to translate the Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale and Exercise Motivation Inventory-2 to Maltese and undertake psychometric testing. METHODS: Maltese-speaking participants (n = 170) aged 18 to 69 years were recruited. 72% completed both questionnaires twice within an 8-to 48-hour period. Reliability was calculated using the Spearman correlation, intraclass correlation coefficient, and Bland–Altman plots. Convergent construct validity was tested using Spearman correlation between theoretical variables. RESULTS: In total 155 participants completed the questionnaires at both time points. The test/re-test reliability of the two questionnaires was >0.7 for all analyses. Correlations for validity were statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The translated tools have similar psychometric properties to the original version; the authors recommend that health care professionals and physical activity practitioners use these tools when examining population-level physical activity behaviour among Maltese-speaking individuals

Decision-making processes in image guided radiotherapy: A think aloud study.

Introduction 3D Image Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT) using Cone Beam Computer Tomography (CBCT) has been implemented for a range of treatment sites across the UK in the last decade. A paucity of evidence exists to understand how radiation therapists (RTTs) make clinical decisions during image interpretation as part of the IGRT process. The aim of this study was to investigate the decision-making processes used by RTTs during image interpretation of IGRT. Method Case study methodology was adopted utilising a think aloud observational method with follow-up interviews. 12 RTTs were observed and interviewed across three UK radiotherapy centres. Participants were observed reviewing and making clinical decisions in a simulated environment using clinical scenarios developed in partnership with each centres’ Clinical Imaging Lead. Protocol analysis was used to analyse the observational data and thematic analysis was used to analyse the interview data. Results A range of approaches to decision-making was observed which varied in length from nine phrases to 57 (mean 24) per case. Six themes emerged from the data: Set Sequence, Site Specific Clinical Priorities, Initial Gross Review, Decision to treat, Compromise and experience. In addition, three cognitive decision-making processes were identified: Simple linear, Linear repeating and Intuitive decision-making process. The findings of the study align with general principles of expert performance, whereby experience in a specific scope of practice is more beneficial in developing expertise than overall experience. Conclusion This study has provided new and original insight in the decision-making processes of RTTs. The study has highlighted three process models to explain how RTTs make decisions during IGRT: Simple linear, Linear repeating and Intuitive decision-making process. Intuitive processes are widely accepted to be error prone and linked to bias. When using this process, some RTTs followed this with a confirmation phase. This second phase of the process should be encouraged when teaching IGRT. The results of the study support the concept of expert performance, where performance and expertise are only improved by exposing individuals to specific types of experiences. RTTs, managers and Higher Education Institutions are encouraged to review these models and implement them into IGRT training. It is clear from the evidence base that understanding how we make decisions, enables us to develop expertise and reduce errors during the decision-making process

Developing a consolidated research framework for clinical allied health professionals practising in the UK

Background: Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) form a significant part of the healthcare workforce and have great potential to improve services through research and research-informed practice. However, there is a lack of tradition in research embedded in practice in these professional groups. Barriers include clinical caseload pressures, a lack of sustainable training and consequent lack of confidence in practitioners. Practice managers are ill-equipped to monitor and guide staff research development. The modern healthcare system is a multi-disciplinary environment focused on the needs of the patient. A common framework across all AHP disciplines, offering equality in research knowledge and skills and shared language, might be helpful in planning and developing clinical career pathways. Our aim is to develop a consolidated research framework to help AHPs to plan and guide research activity throughout their career. Methods: The study was conducted in three phases. Phase one identified existing AHP research frameworks (AHPRF) through expert consultations and literature searches. Phase two involved framework analysis of the AHPRFs to develop a single consolidated framework. Phase three included a workshop with experts to validate and adapt the framework for practice. Results: Nineteen AHPRFs were identified. A consolidated framework was shaped by analysis of the AHPRFs resulting in a consolidated framework of eight sections, each containing a series of statements. Each section relates to an analytic theme within the framework analysis, and the statements were based on sub-categories of themes. The final framework was further shaped by the phase three workshop into a set of ‘stem’ statements that can be adapted to reflect different levels of expertise and the inclusion of a set of guiding principles developed through expert consultation. Conclusion: The consolidated framework was entitled ‘Shaping Better Practice Through Research: A Practitioner Framework’ by stakeholders, thus emphasising its ambition to embed research activity into practice. It instigates a new perspective within AHP research by offering practitioners and managers a tool that can be applied across public, private, and voluntary settings for AHPs in all disciplines. Its ambition is to develop capacity in the AHPs that can undertake research to improve services and the health of service user

Barriers and motivators of physical activity participation in middle-aged and older-adults – a systematic review

Identifying the difference in barriers and motivators between middle-age and older adults could contribute toward the development of age-specific health promotion interventions. The aim of this review was to synthesize the literature on barriers and motivators for physical activity in middle-aged (50-64 years) and older adults (65-70 years). The review examined qualitative and quantitative studies using the theoretical domain framework as the guiding theory. The search generated 9400 results from seven databases. A total of fifty-five articles meeting the inclusion criteria. Results indicate that barriers are comparable across the two age groups with environmental factors and resources being the most commonly identified barriers. In older adults, social influences, reinforcement and assistance in managing change were the most identified motivators. Middle-aged identified goals settings, believe that activity will be beneficial and social influences were most important. Findings can be used by professionals to encourage engagement with and adherence to physical activity

Transforming coastal and marine management: Deliberative democracy and integrated management in New South Wales, Australia

The integrated management (IM) of coastal and marine environments is an enduring problem, particularly in multi-sectoral and jurisdictional systems, with coastal management of New South Wales (NSW), Australia being no exception. Historically, NSW coastal and marine management was dominated by ecological and economic approaches, implemented in parallel through multiple government agencies with overlapping jurisdictions. A review in 2012 of NSW marine park management recommended addressing the unintended consequences of this management approach, and the Marine Estate Management Act (2014), was established to integrate management of the whole of the NSW coast. This paper discusses the role that a deliberative democratic approach has played in the approach to IM undertaken by the NSW Marine Estate Management Authority (MEMA). The NSW MEMA case study provides a robust reflection of the challenges identified by the literature in implementing effective integrated management, being the alignment of values, visions and methods of assessment, across multiple resources, ecosystems, stakeholders and administrative jurisdictions. Deliberative democratic approaches were used in reviewing the MEMA case to analyse its ability to address some of the challenges and realise benefits of IM. However, despite benefits being identified, a key finding is that achieving integration across multiple agencies with varied disciplinary approaches and organisational cultures, takes a significant amount of time. Even after several years, challenges remain in embedding cultural shifts and resource commitment at all levels to ensure the ongoing successful implementation of IM

Simulation-based education within respiratory physiotherapy training:a scoping review

Objective The aim of this scoping review is to provide respiratory physiotherapists with guidance on the implementation of simulation-based education Introduction In recent years there has been a widespread rise in the adoption of simulation-based education. A scoping review was decided upon by the ACPRC Editorial Board to focus on any new evidence or guidance in the field. Inclusion criteria 1) Studies investigating the use of simulation-based education within respiratory physiotherapy 2) Meta-analyses, systematic reviews, scoping reviews, randomised controlled trials and observational studies. Methods A literature search was developed and refined through testing. Nine databases were searched between 01/01/2014 and 31/10/2022. Data regarding study design, population, intervention, comparator and control were extracted into a data extraction table. Results were grouped by study design, intervention or context. Results 141 sources were retrieved from the searches. After initial screening 27 sources were included and after full-text review, 25 were included. Sources included: meta-analyses and systematic review and studies considering pre-registration education, interprofessional learning, part-task trainers and postgraduate education. Conclusion There is increasing research output in the simulation-based education field for respiratory physiotherapy. The evidence continues to focus on learner experience. More resources and support are required to increase access to simulation-based education for respiratory physiotherapists

Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour with Retirement in Maltese Civil Servants: A Dialectical Mixed-Method Study

(1) Background: Retirement is a life event that can influence physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) and can be used as an opportunity to promote positive lifestyle choices. The aims of this study were to (a) to identify changes in PA and SB resulting from retirement and (b) to explore predictors of any changes in PA and SB following retirement in Maltese civil servants. (2) Methods: a hybrid mixed-method (MM) study, using first quantitative followed by qualitative methods, of civil servants aged ≥60 years, who were followed during their retirement transition for two years. A proportion of the research participants in the MM study retired while the others remained employed. Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. (3) Results: there were no changes in total PA and sitting behaviour with retirement in Maltese civil servants. People who retired carried out more domestic PA compared to when they were in employment, which resulted in more moderate-intensity PA behaviour. People perceived that their sitting time increased with retirement in the qualitative interviews, but this was not observed in the quantitative data. Past PA behaviour was an important predictor of future PA behaviour, but not for SB. (4) Conclusions: A change in PA occurs with the retirement transition. However, the uptake of exercise is a personal choice that is dependent on previous experience. Increasing SB is perceived as part of the retirement plan but is not necessarily seen in the measured quantitative data

“It is Easy to do Nothing and Easy to Sit Down”: Perceptions of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors During Pre-retirement

This study explored the insights of old age pre-retirement employees towards physical activity and sedentary behavior. A quota sampling of 20 participants from within the Civil Service in Malta were invited to an interview. Participants who were included met the statutory requirement for retirement within the subsequent 6 months to 1 year. Semi-structured interviews were conducted using a narrative approach. Structural narrative analysis and reflective thematic analysis were used. The story structure highlighted the significance of the individual experiences on the perceptions towards future physical activity during retirement. Two themes were identified using the thematic analysis, influencers, and perceptions. Triangulation identified that sedentary behavior was not part of the narration. The transition from work to retirement is a unique and personal experience and therefore when promoting an active lifestyle, the individual experience and past behaviors must be actively considered