La Trobe University

About: La Trobe University is a education organization based out in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 13370 authors who have published 41291 publications receiving 1138269 citations. The organization is also known as: LaTrobe University & LTU.

Scoping workplace aggression in nursing: findings from an Australian study

Abstract: AIM: This paper reports a study of workplace aggression among nurses in Tasmania, Australia. There is international concern about a perceived rise in occupational violence as a major worldwide public health problem, with associated financial costs. BACKGROUND: There is reason to suspect that aggression towards nurses is increasing. For example, increased illicit drug use puts nurses at the sharp end in managing patients admitted with drug-related problems. Such people are often resistant to healthcare intervention, and often have associated disorders, including mental illness. Despite this increased awareness, comprehensive data on occupational violence in nursing are not available. METHOD: A specially designed questionnaire was sent to all nurses registered with the Nursing Board of Tasmania (n = 6326) in November/December 2002, with 2407 usable questionnaires returned. The response rate was 38%. FINDINGS: A majority of respondents (63.5%) had experienced some form of aggression (verbal or physical abuse) in the four working weeks immediately prior to the survey. Patients/clients or their visitors were identified as the main perpetrators, followed by medical and nursing colleagues. Abuse influenced nurses' distress, their desire to stay in nursing, their productivity and the potential to make errors, yet they were reluctant to make their complaints 'official'. As well as reporting high levels of verbal and physical abuse, nurses were distressed because they could not provide the appropriate care to meet patients' needs. Few working environments were free of aggression. CONCLUSION: Future research should try to determine the specific factors, including staff characteristics and environment, associated with the high levels of aggression reported in 'hot spots' where, on the basis of the present results, many staff experience high levels of verbal and physical abuse. Unless managers take steps to improve the situation, attrition from the profession for this reason will continue. Language: en

Return-to-Sport Outcomes at 2 to 7 Years After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Surgery

Abstract: Background: Most people have not returned to their preinjury level of sports participation at 12 months after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery. Twelve months’ follow-up may be too early to assess return-to-sport outcomes accurately.Purpose: This study was undertaken to evaluate the medium-term return-to-sport outcomes after ACL reconstruction surgery.Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 3.Methods: A self-report questionnaire was used to collect data at 2 to 7 years after ACL reconstruction surgery regarding preinjury sports participation, postoperative sports participation, and subjective knee function. The main inclusion criteria were participation in regular sports activity before injury and the attendance at routine surgical follow-up appointments.Results: A total of 314 participants (mean age, 32.5 ± 10.2 years) were included at a mean 39.6 ± 13.8 months after ACL reconstruction surgery. At follow-up, 45% were playing sport at their preinjury level and 29% were playing ...

Perceived barriers and facilitators to physical activity for children with disability: a systematic review

Abstract: Aim The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the perceived barriers and facilitators to physical activity among children with disability. Methods 10 electronic databases were searched from the earliest time available to September 2010 to identify relevant articles. Articles were included if they examined the barriers or facilitators to physical activity for children with disability and were written in English. Articles were excluded if they included children with an acute, transient or chronic medical condition, examined sedentary leisure activities, or societal participation in general. Two reviewers independently assessed the search yields, extracted the data and assessed trial quality. Data were analysed descriptively. Results 14 articles met the inclusion criteria. Barriers included lack of knowledge and skills, the child9s preferences, fear, parental behaviour, negative attitudes to disability, inadequate facilities, lack of transport, programmes and staff capacity, and cost. Facilitators included the child9s desire to be active, practising skills, involvement of peers, family support, accessible facilities, proximity of location, better opportunities, skilled staff and information. Conclusion Personal, social, environmental, and policy and programme-related barriers and facilitators influence the amount of activity children with disability undertake. The barriers to physical activity have been studied more comprehensively than the facilitators.

The Role of Conditioning and Verbal Expectancy in the Placebo Response

Abstract: Both conditioning and expectancy models have been offered in recent years as explanations for the placebo response. Following our earlier work on conditioning placebo responses in human subjects the current study examined the relative contribution made by conditioning and verbal expectancy. Group 1 received a Combined Expectancy and Conditioning Manipulation; group 2 received Expectancy Alone; group 3, Conditioning Alone; and group 4 was the control group. Subjects' responses were compared with and without a placebo cream, using iontophoretic pain stimulation. The results suggest that conditioning was more powerful than verbal expectancy in creating a placebo response.