Joy Penman

Factors impacting on psychological wellbeing of international students in the health professions: A scoping review

BACKGROUND There are increasing numbers of international students undertaking health professional courses, particularly in Western countries. These courses not only expose students to the usual stresses and strains of academic learning, but also require students to undertake clinical placements and practice-based learning. While much is known about general issues facing international students, less is known about factors that impact on those studying in the health professions. OBJECTIVES To explore what is known about factors that influence the psychological wellbeing of international students in the health professions. DESIGN A scoping review. DATA SOURCES A range of databases were searched, including CINAHL, Medline, Scopus, Proquest and ERIC, as well as grey literature, reference lists and Google Scholar. REVIEW METHODS The review included qualitative or quantitative primary peer reviewed research studies that focused on international undergraduate or postgraduate students in the health professions. The core concept underpinning the review was psychological issues, with the outcome being psychological and/or social wellbeing. Thematic analysis across studies was used to identify key themes emerging. RESULTS A total of 13 studies were included in the review, from the disciplines of nursing, medicine and speech-language pathology. Four key factor groups emerged from the review: negotiating structures and systems, communication and learning, quality of life and self-care, and facing discrimination and social isolation. CONCLUSIONS International health professional students face similar issues to other international students. The nature of their courses, however, also requires negotiating different health care systems, and managing a range of clinical practice issues including with communication, and isolation and discrimination from clinical staff and patients. Further research is needed to specifically explore factors impacting on student well-being and how international students can be appropriately prepared and supported for their encounters.

Philippine academic visit: brief but life-changing.

As one way of inculcating international perspectives in its graduates, the University of South Australia includes in its programs various opportunities for students to study abroad. It also encourages incoming short-term exchange and full-program international students. In 2001, the Discipline of Nursing and Rural Health (Whyalla Campus) sent two graduating students to a developing country in Asia, the Philippines, for a twelve-week academic experience. Despite problems causing the visit to be curtailed, much was learned. Participant and organiser insights are described, sharing valuable lessons to inform future plans and ensure better results. What could be regarded as a failed academic visit, nevertheless offered a life-changing opportunity and significant learning outcomes, reinforcing the belief that international academic experiences are extremely worthwhile for students and participating institutions. These experiences provide an important path to cultural understandings, and to personal and professional development.

Finding Paradise Within: How Spirituality Protects Palliative Care Clients and Caregivers From Depression

The aims of this article are to explore the experience of depression among palliative care clients and caregivers, describe the strategies they use in coping with depression, and clarify the role of spirituality in preventing and/or overcoming depression. This article discusses an aspect of the findings of a larger doctoral study that explored the nature of spirituality and spiritual engagement from the viewpoint of individuals with life-limiting conditions and their caregivers. van Manen’s phenomenology was used in the study. The data generated from the doctoral study were subjected to secondary analysis to uncover the experience of depression. The methodology underpinning the secondary analysis was phenomenology also by van Manen. Fourteen clients and caregivers from across regional and rural South Australia informed the study. Data collection involved in-depth nonstructured home-based interviews that were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. The findings highlighted relate to participants succumbing to depression, but having spiritual beliefs and practices helped them cope. One of the most insightful understanding was the role spirituality played in protecting individuals from depression, encapsulated in the theme “finding paradise within.” Spirituality, understood from a religious or secular perspective, must be embedded in palliative care as it assisted in preventing and overcoming depression.

Virtual Pathology Learning Resource: A promising strategy in teaching pathology to allied health science students

(CC BY-NC 4.0) This article is licensed to you under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. When you copy and redistribute this paper in full or in part, you need to provide proper attribution to it to ensure that others can later locate this work (and to ensure that others do not accuse you of plagiarism). You may (and we encourage you to) adapt, remix, transform and build upon the material for any non-commercial purposes. This license does not permit you to use this material for commercial purposes. VIRTUAL PATHOLOGY LEARNING RESOURCE: A PROMISING STRATEGY IN TEACHING PATHOLOGY TO ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCE STUDENTS

Voices from the Field: Regional Nurses Speak About Motivations, Careers and How to Entice Others to Pursue Mental Health Nursing

Abstract The aims of this study are three-fold: determine the factors that motivate nurses to pursue mental health nursing; identify the strategies that might attract nursing students and practising nurses to pursue mental health nursing as a professional career; and identify the difficulties of nurses in achieving their preferred clinical specialty. A descriptive qualitative study design with semi-structured interviews was used. Fifteen mental health nurses from rural and regional South Australia were interviewed. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, and thematic analysis was undertaken. Of the fifteen participants, thirteen were females and two were males; their average age was 50 years. The factors that motivated the participants to pursue mental health nursing were categorized as intrinsic and extrinsic. There were many strategies that might attract nursing students and nurses to the field, but the most popular suggestion was the provision of high quality meaningful clinical placements. Other strategies were to convey the personal satisfaction derived from being a mental health nurse, promote mental health nursing aggressively, and provide employment incentives. The study also highlighted the importance of addressing stigma, and greater education and support for nurses to pursue a mental health career.

Coping and resilience of rural and regional Australian immigrants: imperatives for successful settlement

This research provides an understanding of the coping strategies for successful settlement of Australian immigrants by elucidating key conceptual constructs relating to resilience development. Using qualitative descriptive methodology, 10 in-depth interviews with immigrants settling in regional South Australia between 2007 and 2012 were conducted. Thematic analysis was used to identify participants’ meanings and realities associated with immigration and settlement. Five themes emerged around resilience, goals, settlement planning, healthy lifestyles and adaptation. A multidimensional conceptual model was created to capture how the immigrants coped and developed resilience. Findings offer insights for Australian immigrants, policymakers, and human service and health professionals, as well as academic researchers.

The Impact of a University Experience Program on Rural and Regional Secondary School Students: Keeping the Flame Burning

Aim/Purpose The uptake of university by regional students has been problematic for various reasons. This paper discusses a program, initiated by a South Australian regional university campus, aimed at attracting regional students into higher education. Background A qualitative descriptive approach to study was used to determine the value of the program on participating students and school staff. Year 10 students from Roxby Downs, Port Augusta and Port Lincoln high schools were invited to participate in a two-day regionally-focussed school-university engagement program that linked students with the university campus and local employers. Methodology A survey was administered to determine the impact of the program. Perceptions about the program by school staff were gathered using a modified OneMinute Harvard questionnaire. While 38 Year 10 students and 5 school staff members participated, 37 students and 3 staff evaluated the program. Findings The findings revealed that the majority of the students would like to attend university, but financial and social issues were important barriers. The students learned about the regional university, what it can offer in terms of programs and support, and the employment prospect following university. The school staff benefited by developing a closer relationship with students and becoming better informed about the regional university. Recommendation for Practitioners One way by which university uptake may be increased is to provide similar immersion programs featuring engagement with employers, our recommendation to other regional universities. In increasing the levels of education, individuals, communities and the society in general are benefited.

To Flip a Class or Not to Flip a Class: That is the Question

The flipped classroom is one of the recent innovations applied in teaching science concepts to nursing students. It is thought that a more engaging and meaningful learning environment is created, but how exactly this is achieved in flipped classroom is unclear. The aims of this paper are to describe how a flipped classroom was effectively created for beginning off-campus nursing students studying the course Human Body, and to determine its impact on the learning experience of these students. Survey methodology was used to evaluate students’ perceptions about flipped classroom. A 15item questionnaire was administered to participants at the conclusion of the course. They were requested to rate or complete thirteen statements on a Likert scale relating to their learning experience and respond to two open-ended questions on what they liked most about the class and areas for improvement. Forty-one (n=41) students completed the post-flipped classroom survey, out of a total of 174 offcampus students for a 24% response rate. Though constrained with poor response, this study illustrated that the flipped classroom was a feasible learning and teaching approach for off-campus nursing students. For various reasons, 84% of respondents preferred the flipped classroom and 85% recommended it for future students.

Adopting a Proactive Approach to Good Health: A Way Forward for Rural Australians

Abstract Minimising discrepancies between Australia’s rural and the more favourable urban health status relates to more than workforce recruitment, retention and access to health services: A proactive strategy, using resources at hand, can empower people to improve their health. Academics from a nurse education unit have, therefore, regularly engaged with local communities in various activities to promote and maintain health. Participants range from children to older adults. The impact of these programs is examined is examined in this paper, reviewing the benefits to participants, contribution to students’ learning, and development of university–community relationships. Participants’ perceptions of the educational sessions and health-promoting activities were gathered using surveys and anecdotal accounts. Using Mezirow’s reflective framework and Prochaska et al. stages of change, the authors critically reflected on the learning involved, and on the real and potential health outcomes of the activities. Participants’ feedback on a range of such activities revealed consistently high satisfaction over the past decade. These health initiatives have challenged some of the existing health habits of participants’ culture. Continuing these endeavours in close collaboration with communities contributes to developing participants’ self-efficacy and building community capacity through increased knowledge of health management and links to health resources.