Queensland

The Baby Basket initiative was developed by Apunipima Cape York Health Council (ACYHC) to address poor maternal and child health (MCH) in Cape York, the northernmost region of Queensland. While positive outcomes for Indigenous MCH programs are reported in the literature, few studies have a strong evidence base or employ a sound methodological approach to evaluation. The aim of the cost study is to identify the resources required to deliver the Baby Basket program in the remote communities of Cape York. It represents an initial step in the economic evaluation of the Apunipima Baby Basket program. The aim of this study was to report whether the current program represents an effective use of scarce resources. The cost study was conducted from the perspective of the health providers and reflects the direct resources required to deliver the Baby Basket program to 170 women across 11 communities represented by ACYHC. A flow diagram informed by interviews with ACYHC staff, administrative d...

Rationale The effectiveness of clinician-focused interventions to improve stroke care is uncertain. Aims To determine whether an organizational intervention can improve the quality of stroke care over usual care. Sample size estimates To detect an absolute 10% difference in overall performance (composite outcome), a minimum of 21 hospitals and 843 patients per group was determined. Methods and design Before and after controlled design in hospitals in Queensland, Australia. Intervention Externally facilitated program (StrokeLink) using outreach workshops incorporating clinical performance feedback, patient outcomes (survival, quality of life at 90–180 days), local barrier assessments to best practice care, action planning, and ongoing support. Descriptive and multivariable analyses adjusted for patient correlations by hospital (intention-to-treat method). Context Concurrent implementation of financial incentives to increase stroke unit access and use of the Australian Stroke Clinical...

The purpose of this work was to explore how men and women construct their experiences living with lymphoedema following treatment for any cancer in the context of everyday life. The design and conduct of this qualitative study was guided by Charmaz' social constructivist grounded theory. To collect data, focus groups and telephone interviews were conducted. Audiotapes were transcribed verbatim and imported into NVivo8 to organize data and codes. Data were analyzed using key grounded theory principles of constant comparison, data saturation, and initial, focused, and theoretical coding. Participants were 3 men and 26 women who had developed upper- or lower-limb lymphoedema following cancer treatment. Three conceptual categories were developed during data analysis and were labeled "accidental journey," "altered normalcy," and "ebb and flow of control." "Altered normalcy" reflects the physical and psychosocial consequences of lymphoedema and its relationship to everyday life. "Accidental journey" explains the participants' experiences with the health care system, including the prevention, treatment, and management of their lymphoedema. "Ebb and flow of control" draws upon a range of individual and social elements that influenced the participants' perceived control over lymphoedema. These conceptual categories were interrelated and contributed to the core category of "sense of self," which describes their perceptions of their identity and roles. Results highlight the need for greater clinical and public awareness of lymphoedema as a chronic condition requiring prevention and treatment, and one that has far-reaching effects on physical and psychosocial well-being as well as overall quality of life.

Abstract A retrospective audit of inpatient falls at the Gold Coast Hospital was conducted in August 1996. This collaborative approach of occupational therapy and nursing staff aimed to reduce the number of patients falling while they were hospital inpatients. From the first audit a number of high risk patient groups, activities and ward environments were identified and a falls prevention program implemented. A second audit conducted 2 years later demonstrated a decrease in falls and related injuries. This paper discusses the findings of the falls audit and presents the ‘Fall STOP’ falls prevention program that was initiated.

Deinstitutionalisation describes the process in which, throughout the western world, psychiatric hospitals discharged most of their patients and most often closed their doors. It coincided with an influential rethinking of the status of the mentally ill as citizens. At Wolston Park Hospital, Queensland's first and major psychiatric facility, opened in 1865, this was an extended process beginning in the 1930s that ended only in 2001. This paper considers how this happened, over what period of time, and with what kinds of impact on the institutional community. It makes use of oral histories collected among those who worked at the hospital as well as those who were its patients and clients.

Reports the results of a survey of wholesalers and retailers of giant clam shells in Southeast Queensland undertaken in August 1989. The most common variety of clam shell was that of Hippopus hippopus (the horseshoe clam) with that of Tridacna squamosa (the fingernail clam) being the second most frequent. Shells of Tridacna porcellanus (the china clam) and of Tridacna gigas were also available but in extremely short supply. Only shells of these species appear to be in real demand. Shells of other species have unsatisfactory characteristics but shells of the species in demand are not perfect substitutes - the market is segmented. Information is presented on prices and quantities of clam shells sold. Currently, there seems to be an Australian market for about 100,000 to 120,000 clam shells per year. Practically all clam shells were imported from the Philippines but supplies are becoming scarce as CITES takes effect and natura1 stocks become exhausted. This is reflected in the unavailability of larger shells and the sale of shells of lower quality than in the past. Tourists possibly account for 60 - 70 per cent of sales of clam shells but only a small percentage (10%?) of sales are to overseas tourists because of weight problems. A reasonably high proportion of clam shells appear to be purchased by restaurants and directly by householders. Practically all shell outlets expressed interest in obtaining clam shells from farms and provided information on the type of shells which they would like to see produced. Most thought that there would be a ‘good’ market for clam shells obtained by mariculture.

Objective: To describe the extent and nature of demonstrated professional partnerships between occupational therapists and Aboriginal health workers in rural and remote communities of North Queensland. The study identifies ways in which professional partnerships improve client services and enhance occupational therapy outcomes through exploring the aspects of communication, collaboration and bridging cultural boundaries.Design: Data collected via in-depth, semistructured telephone interviews.Setting: Aboriginal and mainstream health and human service organisations in rural and remote North Queensland. Rural and remote areas were identified using the Accessibility and Remoteness Index of Australia codes.Participants: Seven participants working in rural and remote areas of North Queensland, comprising four occupational therapists and three Aboriginal health workers. All participants were female.Results: Participants identified five core themes when describing the extent and nature of professional partnerships between occupational therapists and Aboriginal health workers. Themes include: professional interaction; perception of professional roles; benefits to the client; professional interdependence; and significance of Aboriginal culture. According to participants, when partnerships between occupational therapists and Aboriginal health workers were formed, clients received a more culturally appropriate service, were more comfortable in the presence of the occupational therapist, obtained a greater understanding of occupational therapy assessment and intervention, and felt valued in the health care process.Conclusions: This study substantiates the necessity for the formation of professional partnerships between occupational therapists and Aboriginal health workers. The findings suggest that participation in professional partnerships has positive implications for occupational therapists working with Aboriginal clients and Aboriginal health workers in rural and remote regions of North Queensland.

Numerous international studies have corroborated the value of public-private sector partnerships in reducing vulnerability and building resilience to emergencies and disasters. This paper proposes a simple conceptual framework for publicprivate partnerships in emergency and disaster management that could be applied to research and policy analysis in Australia. The framework proposes three dimensions: sector types (public, business and community), partnership arrangements (legislated and formal to informal agreements), and partnership roles (strategic and resilience-building and response and recovery). This paper describes how the three sectors can work together under various partnership arrangements for preventive or responsive measures in emergency and disaster management. Public-private partnerships during and after the Queensland floods of 2010-11 are used to illustrate the relationships presented in the framework and to give a snapshot of these partnerships in Queensland.