Masters Practice Projects

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https://hdl.handle.net/10292/10895

The Masters Practice Projects collection contains digital copies of AUT masters practice projects deposited with the Library since 2017 and made available open access.

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Moving From Te Po (Night) and Into Te Ao (Light): An Indigenous Framework to Support Māori Males Who Have Been Sexually Abused in New Zealand
(Auckland University of Technology, 2014) Stevens II, Alexander Windsor
Sexual abuse is a public health threat to the wellbeing of all people in New Zealand. The costs of sexual violence have been estimated by New Zealand Treasury in 2006 to be over a billion dollars a year. Current statistics suggest that females are more likely to be sexually abused than males. However research has indicated that men (in general) have separate challenges coming forward to discuss being sexually abused. For indigenous males the challenges are even more demanding than tauiwi (non-Māori) men. Excluding ethnicity, male experiences of being sexually abused in general are under reported in New Zealand. This can mean men present with on-going problems that may damage them physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. When indigenous men access health or social services Māori and Pacific frameworks are often used to ensure culturally appropriate care is given. This can include Te Whare Tapa Wha and Te Wheke. However there are limitations to these indigenous frameworks when sexual abuse is factored in. Given this a new approach is needed to understand the complexities of being sexually abused, and to find culturally appropriate ways forward. Effectively finding solutions that deal with prevention and recovery from sexual abuse will greatly reduce the mental health and addiction burden in New Zealand. To meet the gaps identified the researcher has developed a framework and tool based on ancestral knowledge of both Māori people (the indigenous peoples of New Zealand) and the Ojibwa people (one of the largest groups of indigenous people that are divided between the United States and Canada). The results of the project suggest a positive way forward, towards healing and recovering from sexual abuse. This will be used as the basis for on-going exploration and study.
'Birthplace - Your Choice' A Smartphone Application Designed to Aid Informed Decision Making on Birthplaces for Primigravida Women in New Zealand
(Auckland University of Technology, 2019) Ballard, Sarah
Birthplace choices influence maternal and neonatal outcomes. Despite popular belief, International, New Zealand and local research confirms that birthing in an obstetric hospital does not improve maternal or neonatal outcomes for healthy, low-risk women and their babies. Research evidence agrees that it instead, increases the likelihood of unnecessary medical interventions leading to maternal and neonatal morbidities. Health outcomes for birth planned at home or in midwife-led birthing units is safer for mothers and as safe as an obstetric hospital for babies, yet in New Zealand the majority of women choose to birth in an obstetric hospital. Knowledge on birthplace options and outcomes is hindered by a lack of easily accessible, user-friendly, evidence-based information. Worldwide ehealth technologies are increasing in use with Smartphone healthcare applications (Apps) being increasingly integrated into mainstream healthcare as monitoring and information tools. The main aim of this research was to develop an ehealth Smartphone App called 'Birthplace - Your Choice' This App would provide evidence based, accessible information that focused on: birthplace choices; outcomes for mothers and babies giving birth in hospital, midwife-led birthing units and at home; obstetric interventions; and the benefits of physiological birth. This prototype App was developed as a Patient Decision Aid Tool in collaboration with Centre for Learning and Teaching, Auckland University of Technology. International Patient Decision Aid Standards criteria, decisional-conflict measurements, information processing, ehealth frameworks and communication theories informed App development. An extensive literature search was conducted to provide evidence-based content. ‘Birthplace – Your Choice’ includes New Zealand specific statistical data which makes this project unique to the birthing population information needs. The statistical likelihood of vaginal birth, caesarean, water-birth, bleeding after birth, perineal trauma, Apgar score and admission to neonatal intensive care unit is presented. Information on transfer from home or midwife-led birthing units to hospital is also provided. Written text, drop-down information options, interactive quizzes and interactive infographics are provided to engage the user with the content. Prototype testing involved a small sample of four primigravida women who each answered a questionnaire before using the ‘Birthplace – Your Choice’ App and another a week after use. Observational notes were also recorded on navigation and usability while the App was being used. Results: Use of a New Zealand specific Smartphone App has potential in aiding low-risk primigravida women in making informed decisions on their birthplace and understanding childbirth choices. The four women desired information on Birthplace options and deemed this important to make informed decisions yet none was available that was easily accessible. The women expressed their frustration at having to rely on their midwife, family and friends for information which they recognised as potentially biased. The provision of credible information via a Smartphone was appreciated and validated as a suitable platform to deliver such information. The fact that this information could be shared and discussed with others and freely accessed, improved its acceptability. Three of the women stated that the content of the App increased their confidence that they had made the right choice to birth at a midwife-led birthing unit. One of these women who tested the App at 38 weeks’ gestation stated that had she had this information earlier she would have likely chosen a homebirth. The last woman had chosen to birth at a hospital but changed to a midwife-led birthing unit after using the App. This demonstrates that women prefer and may benefit from being able to access evidence-based information on birthplace options in New Zealand. New Zealand women make their birthplace decision early in, if not before, pregnancy. This demonstrates the need for high quality information on birthplace options and outcomes to be easily accessible if any improvements in informed decision making is to occur. By explaining the benefits of physiological birthing for mother and babies, along with information on birthplace options and outcomes, the ‘Birthplace – Your Choice’ App fills a gap not being met by any current Public Health initiatives in this country. Further App development and a larger sample size is needed for meaningful statistical analysis that can measure any effect of the App on choice of birthplace. ‘Birthplace – Your Choice’ offers potential as an ehealth tool to improve education on Birthplace options, obstetric interventions, maternal and neonatal outcomes and the benefits of physiological birth. Potential benefits for maternity Stakeholders include a reduction in costs and staffing demands if exposure to accurate birthplace information results in a shift away from birth in hospitals.
Toward an Operational Definition of an Informal Mindfulness Practice: A Scoping Review and Stakeholder Consultation
(Auckland University of Technology, 2020) Andersen, Nicole
The current definitions of informal mindfulness practice proposed in the literature are inconsistent and obscure. It has been described by several studies yet, there has been no effort to establish the defining principles the constitute informal mindfulness practice. Therefore, there is no widely agreed on definition of informal mindfulness practice. Using a scoping literature review methodology, this research provides an overview of the various types of definitions of informal mindfulness. A content analysis of the scoping review identified 35 definitions that could be allocated into five categories. These five categories were: exposure of formal practice, intentionality, everyday activities, continuity, and awareness of breath. In addition, mindfulness teachers, as participating stakeholders, were interviewed about the extent to which these definitions have utility for their practice and teaching. Information from these interviews helped to determine to what degree these definitions need to be modified. The stakeholders agreed that “exposure to a formal practice” and “intentionality” are crucial components to informal practice. The stakeholders felt the remainder of the categories needed to be altered or expanded on. Lastly, the stakeholders expressed that “attitude” is a fundamental element that needs to be included in an operational definition of informal mindfulness practice. There was no current definition identified in the literature that included all of the fundamental elements identified from the research and stakeholder consultations. Therefore, the stakeholders provided an alternative operational definition of informal mindfulness practice. The researcher selected one definition from the five alternative definitions, that clearly represented all the fundamental facets identified by the scoping review and expressed by the stakeholders.
The Prevalence, Characteristics and Impact of Chronic Pain in Patients with Muscular Dystrophies: A Systematic Review
(Auckland University of Technology, 2020) Huang, Meihuan
Background: Chronic pain is a frequent, yet under-recognised and under-assessed problem in people with muscular dystrophies (MDs). Knowledge of the prevalence and characteristics of chronic pain, and its impact on function and quality of life is limited and lacks systematic exploration. Purpose: This study aims to systematically review and synthesise existing literature that addresses chronic pain prevalence, characteristics and impact in people with different types of MDs. Methods: A systematic search of bibliographic electronic databases was performed for articles (up to March 2020) reporting chronic pain (pain persisting ≥ 3 months) in people with MDs. Quality assessment was conducted using the Risk of Bias Tool for Prevalence Studies. Pooled estimates of pain prevalence and average pain intensity were calculated for each diagnostic group and where the number of articles was sufficient, group comparison was performed. Results: The estimated prevalence of chronic pain is similar across diagnostic groups of MDs: 68% in FSHD, 65% in DM, 62% in BMD/DMD, and 60% in LGMD. Generally, chronic pain is reported as mild to moderate by most people with FSHD and DM, with a mean value of moderate pain intensity (4.1/10 in FSHD and 4.7/10 in DM, respectively). Lower back, shoulder and legs are the most frequent sites of chronic pain among people with FSHD, DM, BMD/DMD, and LGMD, with minor variations. Diffuse pain across multiple body sites was reported by a notable proportion of these individuals. No clear pattern of pain descriptors relating to a specific diagnostic group of MDs could be identified from the included studies. Chronic pain has a negative impact on daily life activities in people with MDs, and may also contribute decreased quality of life. Occupational and domestic activities, recreational activities and mobility are the daily life domains most commonly affected by chronic pain. In children with DMD, mood may be significantly affected. Consistently, sleep is the least affected domain by chronic pain across different forms of MDs. Implications: This is the first review that systematically explores the prevalence, characteristics and impact of chronic pain in people with MDs. It is also the first to attempt to quantitatively synthesise the prevalence and pain intensity data by diagnostic groups in this population. The present study demonstrates how common chronic pain is across various MD populations and highlights the need for better recognition and understanding of the nature and impact of pain from health professionals. Future studies should focus on chronic pain in lesser explored MDs (including CMD, EDMD, OPMD and Distal MDs), geographic regions outside the USA and Europe and younger age groups. Further investigations on pain phenotypes (e.g. neuropathic vs nociceptive pain) and the associated response to treatments are also recommended.
Internalised Homophobia: Correlations With Depression, Anxiety, Suicidal Ideation and Coming Out Age in the Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Community of Aotearoa New Zealand
(Auckland University of Technology, 2021) Hanekom, Johannes
Internalised homophobia is defined as negative attitudes and feelings towards homosexuality that many lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) individuals hold within themselves. Studies have shown that internalised homophobia is linked to the development of mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation. No studies have been conducted to investigate the relationship between internalised homophobia and psychological distress in the New Zealand LGB community. This study aimed to be the first of its kind to quantitatively investigate the relationship between internalised homophobia, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation symptoms in the New Zealand LGB community. The study also aimed to investigate how age and the age of coming out influenced feelings of internalised homophobia. A quantitative cross-sectional study of 359 LGB participants from the New Zealand general population was conducted. Participants completed an online survey containing measures of psychological distress, including SIDAS, DASS-21 and IHS. Multiple regression analyses were performed to assess relationships between internalised homophobia, psychological distress, age and coming out age. A total of 98% of participants reported feelings of internalised homophobia. The study found that internalised homophobia significantly contributed to anxiety and depression in gay men, lesbians and bisexual women and contributed to symptoms of depression in gay men and bisexual women. Internalised homophobia only predicted suicidal ideation in lesbians and bisexual women. LGB participants aged 16-19 years reported significantly higher levels of internalised homophobia compared to older age groups, but a significant negative correlation between age and internalised homophobia was only observed in gay men and bisexual women. The study results also found that coming out at a younger age did not reduce feelings of internalised homophobia. However, the number of years since disclosing sexual orientation did significantly correlate with lower levels of internalised homophobia in gay men. These results may prove to have clinical implications for developing interventions to reduce the levels of internalised homophobia in LGB individuals that could improve mental health outcomes.
Recruitment and Retention of the Rural Podiatric Workforce in New Zealand: Podiatrist Perceptions
(Auckland University of Technology, 2021) Beeler, Erin
Background The role of podiatrist is important to the health and wellbeing of our rural communities. However, in New Zealand, there is a recognised shortage of podiatrists. Furthermore, the ability to recruit and retain primary care podiatrists in rural areas is thought to be challenging. The aim of this study is to find out what factors contribute to recruitment and retention of rural primary care podiatrists in New Zealand. Methods This study uses a Qualitative Descriptive approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a number of podiatrists to better understand the factors contributing to recruitment and retention of rural primary care podiatrists in New Zealand. Results A rural background or family/whanau connections to a region were the strongest factors influencing recruitment to rural podiatry practice in New Zealand. This was also the principal factor in retention, however professional and social factors such as career fulfillment, nature of work and sense of belonging were also strong. Extensive travel, heavy workloads and professional isolation were factors that contributed to attrition. Conclusion This study provides the first insight into factors contributing to rural podiatrist's recruitment and retention in New Zealand. The most striking factor for recruitment is a rural background, and yet no work is being done nationally to promote podiatry as a career option to potential students from rural areas. Based on this study and given the key role podiatry can play in achieving greater health outcomes, it is essential that a strategic approach to workforce planning and retention by health policy makers and providers is undertaken if rural podiatry is to meet the needs of rural New Zealand.
Virtual Reality for Improving Activity Levels in People With Chronic Pain: A Feasibility Study
(Auckland University of Technology, 2021) Pollard, Catherine
Background People with chronic pain can develop a more sedentary lifestyle. Activity-based virtual reality (AVR) interventions may help increase activity and improve outcomes for people with chronic pain. Aim This study explored the acceptability and feasibility of AVR for improving activity levels and other pain relevant outcome measures among people with chronic pain. Participants Thirteen people with chronic musculoskeletal pain were recruited and randomised into a physiotherapy treatment as usual group (TAU) or AVR group. Design Randomised, non-blinded, pilot study involving within subject testing pre- and post-intervention. In addition, the TAU group underwent a pre-intervention waiting time to act as a control. Methods Each treatment arm (AVR, TAU or wait-time) lasted six weeks. Outcome measures were collected at the start and end of each six-week period and included self-report questionnaires, activity monitoring and physical function measures. Effect sizes were calculated and minimal clinical important differences in activity levels and pain relevant outcomes were documented where available. Feasibility was determined through recruitment and retention rates and acceptability through participant’s evaluation of sessions, perceived benefit and adherence to data collection processes. Results Recruitment was low and indicated a need for change in the exclusion criteria and recruitment sourcing when conducting a larger study. Retention rates, however, were reasonable and participants enjoyed the sessions and perceived to gain benefit from the AVR. Preliminary analysis of activity levels and other outcomes indicated that AVR was somewhat less effective than TAU, but effect sizes across the groups were small, though several limitations to the study protocol demand further research to quantify this. Conclusion The study confirmed that AVR was acceptable for a chronic pain population, but the study protocol as it stands would not be feasible for a large randomised controlled trial. Revisions may improve standardisation, and changes to the recruitment process are needed to increase participant numbers. Initial findings indicate that AVR is an enjoyable intervention for people with chronic pain, but pain relevant outcome measures did not indicate substantial differences in outcomes compared to standard physiotherapy or a waiting list control.
Invisible Men: When Men Are the Recipients of Non-reciprocal Intimate Partner Violence in Heterosexual Relationships
(Auckland University of Technology, 2021) Amundsen, Sharon
This modified qualitative systematic review (MQSR) examines if socio-cultural aspects of masculinity norms and attitudes create barriers that prevent men as recipients of non-reciprocated female intimate partner violence (IPV) from reporting and help-seeking. Predominantly family violence literature focuses on women's experiences as the recipients of IPV rather than men. Men's voices contributing to the research of their IPV experienced by their female partners, and the responses to their experiences of seeking help, are seldom heard. On the occasions that these men's stories are told, they create confusion and discord. A literature search was undertaken using EBSCO CINAHL, EBSCO SocINDEX, and OVID PyscARTICLES databases. A Google Scholar search was also initiated as a more informal type of search. The requisites of the search included: men as victims of IPV, women as perpetrators of IPV, barriers to reporting and help-seeking, and socio-cultural influence on reporting and help-seeking. The inclusion criteria for the search used statements such as men as recipients of IPV from female partners, women perpetrators, heterosexual relationships, barriers in men reporting IPV, and reference to masculinity. From these criteria, a total of 7 articles were selected and analysed. These articles came from the United States, the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Finland. There were no Aotearoa New Zealand articles included due to the paucity of research in this area. The themes that emerged from the MQSR for discussion are the types of violence used against men by women, descriptions of the types of help-seeking, double standards in professional service, and barriers to reporting and help-seeking for men. Masculinity as a cultural space and the need to break down barriers to reporting is discussed in conclusion, followed by recommendations on how this could be achieved. These recommendations include implications for practice, policy, and future research. My study concludes that men's needs in terms of finding support and disclosing IPV are not inexorably linked to those of women; men, too, want to be heard and believed.
Developing Patient Information for Women and Their Whanau Choosing to Electively End Their Second-Trimester Pregnancy Because of Foetal Abnormality
(Auckland University of Technology, 2021) Graham-Jones, Janine
Medical terminations in the first trimester of pregnancy are one of the most commonly performed medical procedures undertaken in New Zealand. It is, however, far less common to electively end a pregnancy in the second trimester on the grounds of foetal abnormality. New Zealand data obtained in 2018 suggests that 238 women chose to electively end their pregnancy because of foetal abnormality. The diagnosis of a foetal abnormality presents the parents with a difficult and often traumatic decision ... to proceed with the pregnancy and give birth to a child with known disabilities, or to electively end the life of the foetus by terminating the pregnancy. When faced with a diagnosis of severe foetal abnormality, most women choose to electively end the pregnancy. A review of the current literature suggests that the incidence of medical terminations of pregnancy for foetal abnormality is increasing. This is thought to relate to advancing maternal age, the increased availability of antenatal screening, and the advances in diagnostic testing. Medical termination of pregnancy for foetal abnormality was considered a major life event for most women. The psychological consequences of making this decision came with a range of emotional consequences including (but not limited to) grief, sadness, doubt, anger, and regret. Research showed that written information given to women making this decision was considered inappropriate, did not support their emotional requirements, and failed to prepare them for the ordeal ahead. Providing sensitive and relevant patient literature can improve their psychological well-being, reduce the impact of their decision and improve their journey. Scrutiny of local literature revealed it to be inadequate, unsuitable, and insensitive. This quality improvement project aimed to develop a sensitive, informative, and supportive pamphlet to support women and their families/whanau through the labour and delivery of their pregnancy. The psychological consequences of choosing to end a wanted pregnancy because of foetal abnormality require specific regard to the development of a patient-centered resource to support women and their families/whanau as they navigate this difficult and isolating event in their lives.
Improving the Time to Antibiotic Administration in Paediatric Febrile Neutropenia: Implementation of a Clinical Care Pathway in Saudi Arabia
(Auckland University of Technology, 2021) Pole, Maddi
Febrile neutropenia is a commonly experienced condition in patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment or immunosuppressive therapies. Most chemotherapy patients will experience febrile neutropenia at least once in their treatment course. Febrile neutropenic infections develop and spread faster in those with inadequate immunity. In the paediatric population, timeliness and effective antibiotic treatment is paramount to avoiding long term organ damage, and septic related deaths. Best evidence suggests that antibiotic treatment, intravenous fluid resuscitation and blood test investigations should be completed within an hour of arrival to an emergency department for febrile neutropenic patients. This time frame is crucial in the prevention of potential organ damage, which can occur with as little as 3 hours of uncontrolled and untreated febrile neutropenia. Saudi Arabia had an average time to antibiotic administration of 3 hours and 48 minutes. The aim of this project was to develop and implement a clinical care pathway to guide health care professionals to adequately treat febrile neutropenia in the paediatric population in Saudi Arabia. Through a synthesis of current evidence, international best care practice and local guidelines, a pathway was developed. This pathway was implemented and reviewed in accordance with Rosswurm and Larrabee’s (1999) 6-step model for change to evidence practice, and the success and results of this project initiative are described in full below.
The Effect of Internal Cueing Strategies on Gait in Parkinson’s Disease and Underlying Mechanisms: A Structured Review
(Auckland University of Technology, 2021) Wadhera, Meetu
People with Parkinson’s (PWP) typically present with postural instability and gait impairment leading to a high number of falls. Gait rehabilitation that incorporates movement guidance training with sensory cueing and augmented feedback has been successfully investigated in the past to facilitate gait improvement in PWP. Despite showing clinical efficacy, there are limitations to the use of external cues such as device cost and the implementation of cue strategies in daily functional activities. An alternative approach is to use internal cueing which, although less commonly used, may yield similar benefits. This structured review examines the underlying mechanisms and efficacy for use of internal cues to reduce gait impairment among people living with Parkinson’s disease. Based on 14 studies, findings suggest that internal cueing improves gait speed and step length. Findings also suggest a selective response of cueing strategies on gait outcomes. While further research is required, internal cueing may offer a low-cost self-management tool to improve gait outcomes.
The Efficacy of Hypnosis in the Treatment of Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: A Systematic Literature Review
(Auckland University of Technology, 2021) Taylor, Damian
Hypnosis has a long history of use in the treatment of a variety of physical and psychological conditions. However, its effectiveness as a treatment for chronic musculoskeletal pain and the best method for delivery of the hypnotic intervention is still unclear. Therefore, the objective of this study is to review the research surrounding the efficacy of hypnosis for chronic musculoskeletal pain and to identify the most effective intervention delivery strategies. A systematic literature review was performed using the Scopus electronic database to locate all studies that had used hypnosis with a chronic, musculoskeletal pain condition. Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria, of which 12 were randomised controlled trials. The total number of participants across the studies was 627, with a mean age of 48.3 years. The number of intervention sessions in the hypnosis group ranged from a single session to 14 weekly sessions, with a mean of seven sessions across the studies. The hypnotic intervention session durations ranged in length from 20 minutes up to 2.5 hours and were predominately given on a weekly basis. Collectively, the included studies provided high quality evidence that hypnosis has a positive effect in reducing pain intensity in chronic musculoskeletal conditions compared to standard care and waitlist controls. When compared to relaxation, differences between groups were less consistent but still tended to favour the hypnotherapy groups. Similarly, when compared to physical interventions such as physiotherapy or trigger point therapy, hypnosis was also shown to be more effective. The addition of hypnosis to other psychologically based interventions, such as cognitive behavioural therapy and pain education, created greater improvements in many outcome measures related to a person’s pain experience, such as average and worst pain intensity, and catastrophising. The studies that used a larger variety of hypnotic suggestions that targeted pain intensity, and the cognitive and emotional components of pain, achieved better outcomes. Hypnosis can, therefore, be recommended as a viable treatment option, either as a stand-alone-treatment or as an adjunct to other psychological interventions for the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain. Studies investigating the efficacy of specific components of the hypnotherapy interventions around dosage and delivery methods, with larger populations of a more homogenous sample are required to establish more robust conclusions regarding these parameters in a chronic musculoskeletal pain population.
Influences on the Onset and Early Trajectory of Childhood Chronic Pain from a Developmental Perspective: An Integrative Review
(Auckland University of Technology, 2021) Meys, Amanda Nicole
Chronic pain typically describes pain of longer than three months duration or that has exceeded expected tissue healing timeframes. For children, chronic pain consequences involve long-term social, emotional, physical and financial impacts, with lifelong heightened pain sensitivities and dysfunction. With the prevalence of chronic pain in childhood rapidly increasing, childhood chronic pain intervention plays a role in supporting wider population health. Primary healthcare is most often, the place of initial intervention for a child in pain, and initial treatment is predictive of chronic pain risk and outcomes. Further, children’s pain experiences and responses are thought to be more modifiable than those of adults. Therefore, quality, primary healthcare interventions have the potential to positively influence the onset and early trajectory of chronic pain in children. Childhood is a period of extensive development and learning, requiring practitioners’ acknowledgement and understanding of relevant cognitive, physical, psychological and social progressions in the children they work with. Yet, clinically, application of child development theory appears limited when working with children with chronic pain, creating an adult-centric approach to practice. With diverse biological risk factors, affective concerns and complex family factors thought to impact on childhood chronic pain trajectories, practitioners experience difficulty drawing together evidence to inform management. This practice project employed an integrative review methodology. It aimed to draw together and analyse the research literature about the biopsychosocial factors influencing chronic pain onset and its early trajectory in primary school aged children using a childhood developmental lens. The research evidence was critically considered in light of sociocultural and social cognitive developmental theories. Neuropsychological and neurophysiological developmental understandings were also employed to collectively highlight relevant biological, psychological and social developmental concerns. This review contributes novel understandings about childhood chronic pain that have implications for primary health care practice. The results suggest a range of interacting biological, psychological, and social factors play a role in the early trajectory and onset of chronic pain in children, and that many of these incorporate developmental considerations. Psychological factors in particular show interactions amongst outcomes for both parents and children. Such findings suggest that at a primary healthcare level, an interdisciplinary approach is essential. A key aspect that was predominantly absent from the current research, was the measure of change over time, needed to show the variations in presentation that might occur across a child’s development. Adopting a broader, more holistic conceptual understanding of childhood development would contribute to practitioner understandings of the biopsychosocial model as applied in childhood chronic pain, promote positive healthcare interventions and avoid pathologizing what is potentially developmentally normal. True, child-centred primary healthcare interventions have the potential to positively influence or interrupt childhood chronic pain trajectories.
Investigating Physiotherapy Management of Patients Undergoing Upper Abdominal Surgery at Waitemata District Health Board
(Auckland University of Technology, 2021) Owens, Victoria
Post-operative pulmonary complications are one of the main complications following abdominal surgery (Patel et al., 2016), closely followed by cardiac complications (Jin et al., 2014) or wound infections (De Avila & Fenili, 2017). These complications increase hospital length of stay and mortality rates (Scholes, Browning, Sztendur, & Denehy, 2009). This, in turn, imposes a significant financial burden on healthcare resources and patient recovery (Perilli et al., 2018). Physiotherapy aims to prevent and remediate postoperative complications, including PPC’s, in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery (Boden et al., 2018). As part of a larger multicenter international observational study, North Shore Hospital has collected data from 100 patients relating to the prevalence of postoperative complications and provision of physiotherapy. This nested study will enable North Shore Hospital to determine its postoperative complication rate, audit interventions to prevent these, and determine physiotherapy interventions utilised in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. In turn, this will guide a review of our service provision and inform a change of policy where/if needed.
Fear of Falling After Hip Fracture: A Systematic Review of Prevalence, Measurement, Associations with Physical Function, and Interventions
(Auckland University of Technology, 2021) Gadhvi, Chandini
Background Hip fracture is a common and debilitating injury amongst older adults. Fear of falling (FoF) may impede rehabilitation after hip fracture. An updated systematic review to synthesize the existing literature on FoF after hip fracture is needed. Aim This study aims to review and synthesize existing literature to answer four research questions about the 1.) prevalence of FoF, 2.) psychometric properties of measurement instruments, 3.) association with physical function, and 4.) effectiveness of interventions in reducing FoF, in hip fracture patients. Methods A systematic electronic search was undertaken in the EBSCO Health, Scopus and PsychINFO databases in January 2021 for articles on FoF after hip fracture. Data in relation to each research question was extracted and analysed. The methodological quality of the studies was critically appraised using the ‘Risk of Bias Tool for Prevalence Studies’, ‘COSMIN Risk of Bias checklist for Patient-reported outcome measures’, modified version of the ‘Appraisal Tool for Cross-sectional studies’, and the ‘Cochrane Risk of Bias 2’ tools for each research question, respectively. Results 35 articles (34 studies) with 3809 participants were included. Prevalence rates for FoF after hip fracture ranged between 22.5% and 100%, and the prevalence tended to decrease as time progressed post hip fracture. The ‘Falls Efficacy Scale – International’ (FES-I) and ‘Fear of Falling Questionnaire – Revised’ (FFQ-R) were found to be reliable, internally consistent, and valid tools in hip fracture patients. FoF after hip fracture was consistently associated with measures of physical function including balance, gait speed, composite physical performance measures and self-reported function. Exercise-based interventions with or without a psychological component were not effective in reducing FoF after hip fracture. Motivational interviewing and accelerated/ supported discharge with home based rehabilitation may have some impact on FoF, however, more high quality trials are needed to confirm this finding. Overall, there was insufficient evidence to conclude about the effectiveness of interventions in reducing FoF after hip fracture. Conclusion The literature on FoF after hip fracture has grown in the last decade. FoF is prevalent after hip fracture and is associated with poorer physical function. Only two instruments have been validated for measuring FoF in the hip fracture population. However, there is a need for more robust and larger studies to guide clinical practice regarding interventions to address FoF after hip fracture.
Improving Assessment Inter-Rater Reliability of a Nursing ePortfolio: An Integrative Review
(Auckland University of Technology, 2021) Quiding, Janine
Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ) are responsible in ensuring all nurses are registered, competent, safe and fit to practice, to protect the health and safety of the New Zealand public. The approval of Professional Development and Recognition Programmes (PDRP) by NCNZ enable organisations to provide a programme whereby nurses demonstrate continuing competence and/or progression to a higher level of practice by successfully having a portfolio of evidence assessed. Assessments of portfolios are completed by trained assessors internally or externally to the PDRP approved organisation. This practice project aims to seek clarity and provide recommendations to improve assessment inter-rater reliability of nursing ePortfolio’s. An integrative review methodology framework developed by Whittemore and Knafl (2005) was used along with Braun and Clarke (2006) thematic analysis to support the data analysis process. The dataset comprised of 13 articles which were selected through a rigorous literature search process and then data analysis occurred. There are two main themes that emerged out of the data. Firstly, ‘The Assessor’ and what they bring within themselves which has the potential to influence the assessment process and outcome. The second is ‘External Factors’ which are independent of the assessor and occur due to the nature of the nursing portfolio requirements, process and outcome. The assessment of nursing portfolios is a very complex process. It is clear that the very subjective nature of a nursing portfolio and what the assessor brings with them impacts the assessment process throughout. Assessment variability is inevitable due to the subjective nature of the evidence provided in a nursing portfolio. However, consideration of how to minimise this variability is important. By addressing, during training, what each assessor brings with them, acknowledging their own potential influences, biases and professional judgements, assessment reliability can be enhanced. Furthermore, inter-assessor discussion enables individual assessor’s assumptions and diverse views to be explored leading to a consensus of judgement. Finally, it must be accepted that variability between assessors will never be removed completely and we can only try to implement recommendations that may narrow the gap.
Factors Influencing Adoption and Sustained Use of Rehabilitation Technologies in Clinical Practice: A Scoping Review
(Auckland University of Technology, 2022) Lim, Xiao Min Lilian
Background: In response to a growing recognition of the potential of rehabilitation technologies (RT) to improve efficiency in and outcomes from rehabilitation the purchase of RTs were prioritised in the author’s practice setting. However, after the initial few months of use these devices were often abandoned and no longer routinely used in rehabilitation practice. These incidences in the author’s clinical context mirror poor uptake of RT and abandonment of such devices. This scoping review sought to investigate the factors influencing adoption and sustained use of RT in clinical practice with a particular focus on patient and therapist perspectives. Method: This scoping review followed Arksey and O’Malley's five-stage methodology framework, advanced by Levac et al.. Eight electronic databases were searched from inception to April 2021. A total of 5486 unique papers were returned and screened by abstract and title. Data was analysed in two phases: Phase 1: Qualitative data exploring adoption found in the reviewed articles (including systematic reviews of quantitative research and qualitative research, scoping reviews and narrative reviews) was extracted and analysed through a six-step inductive thematic analysis process as described by Braun and Clarke. Subsequently, a thematic map was developed. Phase 2 involved the analysis of data pertaining to sustained use through an abductive approach where the codes generated were mapped onto existing themes developed in Stage 1. New themes emerged related to sustained use and there was an extension of themes that had been identified from the adoption literature. The results of the scoping review were then mapped to the current decision-making processes within the author’s practice context to identify potential gaps in the process, serving as a roadmap to guide the revision of the evaluation and decision-making processes within the author’s organisation. Results: Thirty-six studies were included in the scoping review, of which 28 review articles explored factors influencing adoption, six looked at factors influencing both adoption and sustained use while two primary research papers explored sustained use only. In Stage 1 four key themes were identified as influencing the adoption of RT in clinical practice; “knowledge”, “device design”, “patients’ and therapists’ circumstances and characteristics” and “person-centred approach”. In Stage 2 an additional theme, “wider systemic conditions” was identified and subthemes in existing four themes were modified, expanded or added. This included: (i) modifying subthemes of “(therapist’s) attitudes and beliefs”, “perception of self and societal values” and “ease of set-up and operation” (ii) expanding subthemes of “how to operate the device”, “how to tackle problems and access to support”, “demographic characteristics” and “supporting workload” and (iii) adding a subtheme on “individual preferences”. The themes prompted the generation of recommendations for the revision of the evaluation and decision-making processes within the author’s organisation, and to improve the adoption and sustained use of RT in the practice setting. Conclusion: There is limited research exploring the factors influencing sustained use of RT in clinical practice. The research to date provides sign posts for therapists, patients and carers, designers and developers of RT, management and decision makers of RT purchases and funders of the purchases, which may inform the development, evaluation and implementation of RT. Further research is required to facilitate continuous usage of RT within the clinical setting.
What is the Efficacy of Existing Interventions for Reducing the Impact of Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury? A Systematic Review
(Auckland University of Technology, 2022) McIntosh, Catherine
Introduction. Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury has been identified as a risk factor for developing post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). The individual and societal burden of ACL injuries and PTOA are considerable in Aotearoa New Zealand (AoNZ). This burden is predicted to increase if there is no change in how these injuries are managed. A variety of ACL injury management options exist in AoNZ. Rehabilitation is a recognized component of ACL injury management. The efficacy of different ACL rehabilitation interventions on reducing the impact of PTOA is unknown. Objective. This systematic review aimed to identify, synthesise and critique the findings of research that has evaluated the effectiveness of ACL injury management on the development of PTOA. This review will appraise the quality of the identified literature, to answer the research question, what is the efficacy of existing interventions for reducing the impact of PTOA following ACL injury? Methods. A systematic search of electronic databases CINAHL, SPORTDiscus MEDLINE (via EBSCO) and Scopus was completed and studies relevant to the objective were identified. A quality critique of the selected studies was undertaken using a modified Downs and Black appraisal tool. Data central to the study objective were extracted and analysed. Results. Six articles were retained for final review, quantified as good quality. Five studies compared the effect of surgical anterior cruciate ligament repair (ACLR) with non-surgical management of ACL injuries on the development of PTOA. Only one study investigated the effect of different ACL rehabilitation protocols on the development of PTOA. The incidence of PTOA following ACL injury was comparable regardless of the management interventions compared in each of the studies. Conclusion. Current research shows the risk of PTOA after ACL injury is not changed by ACL injury management. Further research is required to inform ACL injury management to reduce the long-term impact of ACL injury and optimise the wellbeing of the growing ACL-injured population. In the meantime, the evidence supports physiotherapists to implement programmes for ACL injury prevention and promoting knee joint health following ACL injury.
Exploring Electrosurgical Smoke Control Practices among New Zealand Operating Theatre Personnel: A Qualitative Study
(Auckland University of Technology, 2022) Rodrigues, Assunta
Background: Inconsistent electrosurgical smoke evacuation is a concern among operating theatre personnel at a large District Health Board in New Zealand. Despite a growing body of evidence on the hazardous nature of electrosurgical smoke and its harmful effects on operating theatre patients and personnel, there is a paucity of research on electrosurgical smoke control practices among diverse operating theatre personnel. Currently, there are no government regulations that mandate electrosurgical smoke evacuation in New Zealand. Objectives: This study explores and describes electrosurgical smoke control practices at a large District Health Board in New Zealand. It aims to gain a better understanding of diverse operating theatre personnel’s attitudes towards electrosurgical smoke, and how it influences their compliance with electrosurgical smoke evacuation. The goal is to apply the knowledge gained to develop key recommendations to mitigate operating theatre patients’ and personnel’s risk of exposure to hazardous electrosurgical smoke, promoting a healthy surgical smoke-free operating theatre environment for patients and personnel. Methods: An exploratory-descriptive qualitative methodological framework guides this study with individual semi-structured virtual interviews for data collection. A purposeful sample of six diverse operating theatre personnel, comprising of two surgeons, two nurses, an anaesthetist and an anaesthetic technician were voluntarily recruited from a large District Health Board in New Zealand. The researcher conducted the interviews which were audio-recorded. Notes were taken during the interviews. Furthermore, interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed utilising reflexive thematic data analysis approach. Findings: Research findings suggest that compliance with electrosurgical smoke evacuation is an important yet complex issue. Three major themes emerged from the data analysis. Firstly, education on electrosurgical smoke and electrosurgical smoke evacuation across disciplines. Secondly, attitudes and perceptions about electrosurgical smoke and electrosurgical smoke evacuation. Lastly, barriers and facilitators to electrosurgical smoke evacuation. This study highlights that effective electrosurgical smoke control methods are not being consistently practiced by diverse operating theatre personnel at the District Health Board with an inherent risk of exposure to hazardous electrosurgical smoke for operating theatre patients and personnel. Findings identified that although electrosurgical smoke evacuation is routine in open surgical procedures, it is poorly upheld in laparoscopies. The data analysis indicates that certain aspects of the District Health Board policy on electrosurgical smoke evacuation are ambiguous and require updating. Conclusion: This study revealed that the education of operating theatre personnel on electrosurgical smoke and electrosurgical smoke evacuation across disciplines with strong leadership support, is the key to influence positive attitude towards electrosurgical smoke evacuation. This knowledge is vital to overcome barriers for effective and consistent compliance with electrosurgical smoke evacuation to mitigate the effects of hazardous electrosurgical smoke on operating theatre patients and personnel.
Thriving As Māori & Pasifika Allied Health Professionals in the First 2 Years of Practice in a DHB Setting
(Auckland University of Technology, 2022) Tofi, Ulima
Allied Health professionals (AHP) make up the second largest health clinician group in the New Zealand health system (Ministry of Health, 2021) with Māori making up 6.3% and Pasifika 3% respectively (TAS, 2021). Despite the growing evidence and widespread acknowledgement of the inequities that exist within the New Zealand health system, minimal research currently exists regarding Māori and Pasifika health professionals. This project explored perspectives regarding factors that enable Māori and Pasifika AHP employed at Counties Manukau District Health Board (CMH) to thrive. Drawing on shared values of Māori and Pasifika research methodology and aspects of appreciative inquiry, this research consciously incorporated a strengths-based approach to investigate the experiences of 11 Māori and Pasifika AHP. This study has identified the significance of cultural support and development, appropriate leadership, allyship, and having cultural knowledge and intelligence valued, as key, to enabling Māori and Pasifika AHP to thrive at work. Felt and perceived institutional and personal racism, barriers to cultural development opportunities, lack of value ascribed to cultural knowledge and practice alongside clinical skillsets, were shown to negatively impact participants ability to thrive in the workplace. This study provides recommendations for change, while also, highlighting the need for further research pertaining to the perspectives and experiences of Māori and Pasifika AHP, and allied health professions more broadly.

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