Diann Eley

Developing citizenship through sport: the impact of a sport-based volunteer programme on young sport leaders.

The Millennium Volunteers (MV) is a nation-wide government initiative designed to encourage citizenship in young people by providing opportunities to volunteer their time in the community for the benefit of themselves and others. This paper examines an MV programme focused solely on sport that sets out to provide training and support for young sport leaders to do volunteer work in their schools and the community. The rationale behind this study is to describe the psycho-social characteristics of young sport leaders (males = 138; females = 168; mean age = 16.6 years) from across England who were involved in the programme. Assessments were made on their motives and attitudes to volunteer work and their perceptions of leadership skills over a nine-month period. Overall results showed that leadership skills and volunteer motivations increased while the importance of and attraction to volunteering also changed over time. Providing a profile of young sport leaders and a measure of the impact of their volunteer activity may be of benefit to sporting organisations, educators and community administrators who wish to increase interest and opportunities in volunteer work by young people. This study demonstrates the advantage of using sport and volunteering as a means for encouraging pro-social behaviour and citizenship among young people and the positive impact this combination can have personally on the volunteer.

The relationship between resilience and personality traits in doctors: implications for enhancing well being

Objective. The health and well being of medical doctors is vital to their longevity and safe practice. The concept of resilience is recognised as a key component of well being and is an important factor in medical training to help doctors learn to cope with challenge, stress, and adversity. This study examined the relationship of resilience to personality traits and resilience in doctors in order to identify the key traits that promote or impair resilience. Methods. A cross sectional cohort of 479 family practitioners in practice across Australia was studied. The Temperament and Character Inventory measured levels of the seven basic dimensions of personality and the Resilience Scale provided an overall measure of resilience. The associations between resilience and personality were examined by Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients, controlling for age and gender (α = 0.05 with an accompanying 95% confidence level) and multiple regression analyses. Results. Strong to medium positive correlations were found between Resilience and Self-directedness (r = .614, p < .01), Persistence (r = .498, p < .01), and Cooperativeness (r = .363, p < .01) and negative with Harm Avoidance (r = .−555, p < .01). Individual differences in personality explained 39% of the variance in resilience [F(7, 460) = 38.40, p < .001]. The three traits which contributed significantly to this variance were Self-directedness (β = .33, p < .001), Persistence (β = .22, p < .001) and Harm Avoidance (β = .19, p < .001). Conclusion. Resilience was associated with a personality trait pattern that is mature, responsible, optimistic, persevering, and cooperative. Findings support the inclusion of resilience as a component of optimal functioning and well being in doctors. Strategies for enhancing resilience should consider the key traits that drive or impair it.

Listening to young people's voices: Youth sports leaders' advice on facilitating participation in sport

This article reports on a study that accepts the proposal that we listento the voices of young people in relation to sport and physical recreation.The study sought the advice of young sports leaders on what can be done to facilitate young people’s involvement in sport. The study used group interviews (Nominal Group Technique) with over 600 14–18-year-olds toelicit responses to a single question, ‘What can be done to help young people participate in sport?’ This article focuses on young people’s views on issues to do with climate and conditions. We argue that, while their advice offers support for some current initiatives in youth sport, it also provides new insights and challenges and suggests a reordering of existing priorities for youth sport and leisure provision.

Rural temperament and character: A new perspective on retention of rural doctors

OBJECTIVE This exploratory study serves as a starting point to establish a psychobiological profile for rural GPs. The overall aim is to describe how individual levels and combinations of temperament (mildly heritable) and character (influenced by sociocultural learning) traits allow GPs to flourish or fail in rural medicine. DESIGN In a mixed-method study, 13 rural GPs (rural and remote metropolitan areas 5-7, minimum 7 years of experience) from Central/Southern Queensland, Australia completed the Temperament and Character Inventory-R140 to identify the intensity of the seven basic dimensions of temperament and character. These are novelty seeking, harm avoidance, reward dependence, persistence, self-directedness, cooperativenes and self-transcendence. Semistructured interviews provided in-depth information on what brought them to and kept them in rural practice. RESULTS Preliminary results show that our sample of rural GPs are highly self directed, caring, cooperative, objective and persistent. Individual variations occur in the temperament dimensions of harm avoidance, novelty seeking and reward dependence. In particular, GPs who intended to leave rural practice due to dissatisfaction had significantly higher harm avoidance (F = 23.74; P < 0.01) than those GPs intent on staying. CONCLUSION Although preliminary, triangulation of the data sources provides insight into individual GP profiles regarding which particular combination of traits is most conducive to maintaining a rural career, and might provide a greater understanding of rural doctors. This information could provide a basis for counselling of students with an interest in rural medicine and for informing policy on appropriate initiatives for rural GPs and the communities they serve.

The feasibility, acceptability and sustainability of nurse-led chronic disease management in Australian general practice: the perspectives of key stakeholders

This was the first Australian study investigating the acceptability, feasibility and sustainability of a nurse-led model of chronic disease management in general practice. A concurrent mixed-methods design was used within a 12-month intervention of nurse-led care in three general practices. Adult patients with type 2 diabetes, hypertension and/or stable ischaemic heart disease were randomized into nurse-led or standard care. Semi-structured interviews explored perceptions of key stakeholders towards this model including patients in the nurse-led arm, and all practice staff pre- and posttrial. The data were thematically analysed and the emergent themes were: importance of time; collaborative relationships; nurse job satisfaction, confidence and competence; patient self-management and choice. Our findings showed that nurses provided chronic disease management that was acceptable, feasible and sustainable. The collaborative involvement of doctors was intrinsic to patient acceptability of nurse-led care that facilitated job satisfaction, and therefore retention and growth within this nursing speciality.This was the first Australian study investigating the acceptability, feasibility and sustainability of a nurse-led model of chronic disease management in general practice. A concurrent mixed-methods design was used within a 12-month intervention of nurse-led care in three general practices. Adult patients with type 2 diabetes, hypertension and/or stable ischaemic heart disease were randomized into nurse-led or standard care. Semi-structured interviews explored perceptions of key stakeholders towards this model including patients in the nurse-led arm, and all practice staff pre- and posttrial. The data were thematically analysed and the emergent themes were: importance of time; collaborative relationships; nurse job satisfaction, confidence and competence; patient self-management and choice. Our findings showed that nurses provided chronic disease management that was acceptable, feasible and sustainable. The collaborative involvement of doctors was intrinsic to patient acceptability of nurse-led care that facilitated job satisfaction, and therefore retention and growth within this nursing speciality.

Perceptions of mental health service delivery among staff and Indigenous consumers: It's still about communication

Objective: A needs analysis was undertaken to determine the quality and effectiveness of mental health services to Indigenous consumers within a health district of Southern Queensland. The study focussed on identifying gaps in the service provision for Indigenous consumers. Tools and methodologies were developed to achieve this. Method: Data were collected through the distribution of questionnaires to the target populations: district health service staff and Indigenous consumers. Questionnaires were developed through consultation with the community and the Steering Committee in order to achieve culturally appropriate wording. Of prime importance was the adaptation of questionnaire language so it would be fully understood by Indigenous consumers. Both questionnaires were designed to provide a balanced perspective of current mental health service needs for Indigenous people within the mental health service. Results: Results suggest that existing mental health services do not adequately meet the needs of Indigenous people. Conclusions: Recommendations arising from this study indicate a need for better communication and genuine partnerships between the mental health service and Indigenous people that reflect respect of cultural heritage and recognises the importance of including Indigenous people in the design and management of mental health services. Attention to the recommendations from this study will help ensure a culturally appropriate and effective mental health service for Indigenous consumers.

Exploring temperament and character traits in medical students; a new approach to increase the rural workforce.

Background: This study explored temperament and character traits in medical students to identify the possible predictive value of these traits to students with varying levels of intention to pursue rural medicine. This work is the precursor to a better understanding of personality traits associated with medical disciplines within specific environments such as rural medicine. Aims: The long term aim is to increase the recruitment of students who are best suited, and choose to practice in rural locations. Methods: Medical students (272) completed a demographic survey and the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI–R 140) to identify levels of the seven basic dimensions of temperament and character. Multivariate statistics explored differences between students’ TCI levels based on gender, rural origin and level of intention to pursue rural medicine. Results: Analysis showed only main effects and confirmed significant differences in certain TCI dimensions between students with a high compared to a low or medium intention to practice rural medicine and between males and females. Conclusions: Preliminary findings suggest that certain temperament and character traits may be related to interest in rural medicine however the efficacy of assessing personality traits as an adjunct to medical school training and career counselling remains uncertain.

Determinants of rural practice: positive interaction between rural background and rural undergraduate training

Objective: To determine the role of rural background and years of rural clinical school training on subsequent rural clinical practice.

Interprofessional supervision in an intercultural context : a qualitative study

Our understanding of the qualities and value of clinical supervision is based on uniprofessional clinical education models. There is little research regarding the role and qualities needed in the supervisor role for supporting interprofessional placements. This paper reports the views and perceptions of medical and allied heath students and supervisors on the characteristics of clinical supervision in an interprofessional, international context. A qualitative case study was used involving semi-structured interviews of eight health professional students and four clinical supervisors before and after an interprofessional, international clinical placement. Our findings suggest that supervision from educators whose profession differs from that of the students can be a beneficial and rewarding experience leading to the use of alternative learning strategies. Although all participants valued interprofessional supervision, there was agreement that profession-specific supervision was required throughout the placement. Further research is required to understand this view as interprofessional education aims to prepare graduates for collaborative practice where they may work in teams supervised by staff whose profession may differ from their own.

Tools and methodologies for investigating the mental health needs of Indigenous patients: it's about communication

Objective: To undertake a needs analysis to determine the quality and effectiveness of current mental health services to Indigenous patients within a health district of Southern Queensland. The present study focused on identifying gaps in the service provision for Indigenous patients. Tools and methodologies were developed to achieve this. Method: Before commencement of the needs analysis, a review of related national projects was completed. The needs analysis entailed the develop ment and distribution of two separate questionnaires. A major priority of the questionnaire for Indigenous patients was ensuring that effective com munication and cultural respect was achieved. A steering committee of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous experts collaborated on this. The second questionnaire was for employees of the mental health service. Both questionnaires were designed to provide a balanced perspective of current mental health service needs for Indigenous people within the mental health service. Results: The predominant issue that emerged and underpinned all the results was communication. Conclusions: The present study has developed and used procedures for undertaking research involving Indigenous people. It has shown the impor tance of involving Indigenous people to help ensure successful communication, compliance and cooperation by Indigenous mental health patients.