Nigel Barr

Evaluating STAR – a transformative learning framework: interdisciplinary action research in health training

Transformative learning aims to awaken students to issues of injustice, and to promote their critical analysis of assumptions, beliefs and values that lead to and sustain social inequities, so that they may become agents of social change. This paper introduces the Sensitise Take Action and Reflection (STAR) framework, which encapsulates transformative learning principles, as a tool for educators to enhance student health professionals’ capacity and preparedness to address health inequities they are likely to encounter in their future practice. Using an action research methodology within a three-cycle process, STAR was trialled and evaluated by an interdisciplinary team of health educators (n = 25) in an Australian university. Disciplines included: nursing, nutrition and dietetics, public health, occupational therapy and paramedic science. Data were gathered via individual interviews, focus group discussions and field notes, and were analysed inductively, with member-checking of emerging themes to ensure interpretive rigour. The results of this research suggest that STAR is easily understood by users, has relevance for health professional education, and holds promise for producing desired educational outcomes within and across health disciplines. Furthermore, this project could be considered a model for fostering inter-professional collaboration in health education, research and practice.

Use of videos to support teaching and learning of clinical skills in nursing education: A review

Information and communications technology is influencing the delivery of education in tertiary institutions. In particular, the increased use of videos for teaching and learning clinical skills in nursing may be a promising direction to pursue, yet we need to better document the current research in this area of inquiry. The aim of this paper was to explore and document the current areas of research into the use of videos to support teaching and learning of clinical skills in nursing education. The four main areas of current and future research are effectiveness, efficiency, usage, and quality of videos as teaching and learning materials. While there is a clear need for additional research in the area, the use of videos seems to be a promising, relevant, and increasingly used instructional strategy that could enhance the quality of clinical skills education.

Mental health interprofessional education for health professions students: bridging the gaps

Purpose – Government-run mental health services in Australia run predominantly on a multidisciplinary team (MDT) model. Literature and observation from practice shows that interprofessional tertiary sector training is absent, ad hoc or not documented, leaving students inadequately prepared for disciplinary differences in opinions and practices. Learning in interprofessional educational settings provides one way of overcoming the difficulties. The purpose of this paper is to describe the outcomes of an interprofessional learning experience targeting final year Australian students enroled in health promotion, registered nursing, enroled nursing, paramedic science, psychology, social work and occupational therapy who are intending to work in mental health teams. Design/methodology/approach – Using a mixed method, pre- and post-test design (four time intervals), with data collected from three scales and open-ended questions, this study measured participant changes in knowledge and attitudes towards interprofe...

Self-reported behaviors and perceptions of Australian paramedics in relation to hand hygiene and gloving practices in paramedic-led health care

HIGHLIGHTSNoncompliance by Australian paramedics with recommended hand hygiene and gloving practices has been identified.The hands of paramedics have a potential role in the spread of health care–associated infection.Participants perceived that hand hygiene had been a minor aspect of their training.All participants wore gloves for every patient contact.Over half of the participants only changed their gloves post patient care.Improvements in both gloving practices and hand hygiene compliance among Australian paramedics are necessary. Background: Noncompliance with recommended hand hygiene and gloving practices by workers in the emergency medical services may contribute to the transmission of health care–associated infections and lead to poor patient outcomes. The aim of this study was to explore the self‐reported behaviors and perceptions of Australian paramedics in relation to their hand hygiene and gloving practices in paramedic‐led health care. Methods: A national online survey (n = 417; 17% response rate) and 2 semistructured focus groups (6 per group) were conducted with members of Paramedics Australasia. Results: Although most of the study participants perceived hand hygiene and gloving to be important, the findings suggest poor compliance with both practices, particularly during emergency cases. All participants reported wearing gloves throughout a clinical case, changing them either at the completion of patient care or when visibly soiled or broken. Hand hygiene was missed at defined moments during patient care, possibly from the misuse of gloves. Conclusions: Paramedic hand hygiene and gloving practices require substantial improvement to lower potential transmission of pathogens and improve patient safety and clinical care. Further research is recommended to explore how to alleviate the barriers to performing in‐field hand hygiene and the misuse of gloves during paramedic‐led health care.

Enhancing nursing and midwifery student learning through the use of QR codes

AbstractA recent teaching and learning innovation using new technologies involves the use of quick response codes, which are read by smartphones and tablets. Integrating this technology as a teaching and learning strategy in nursing and midwifery education has been embraced by academics and students at a regional university.

Challenges for environmental hygiene practices in Australian paramedic-led health care: A brief report

HighlightsParticipants reported noncompliance with recommended environmental hygiene practices.Participants reported working in ambulances often contaminated with body fluids.Participants had poor knowledge of how to manage blood or body substance spills.Participants had poor knowledge of how to clean shared medical equipment.Participants reported that environmental hygiene had been a minor aspect of their training. &NA; This study explored the self‐reported behaviors and perceptions of Australian paramedics in relation to their environmental hygiene practices. A national online survey was conducted with Paramedics Australasia members (N = 417). Participants reported working in ambulances often contaminated with body fluids. Widespread noncompliance with routine and deep cleaning of ambulances, and misunderstandings about environmental hygiene practices were apparent. Improvements to environmental hygiene practices of Australian paramedics are recommended to avoid pathogen transmission and ensure patient safety.