A community-based modified sport program for rural community-dwelling older adults: A pilot study. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 32(4), 488–497.

Investigators: Romein, J., Hutchins, G., Ottrey, E., Talpey, S., & Bishop, J.

Access full article: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ajr.13108

Study contact: jake.romein@eghs.net.au

Summary

This study identified that social connection, health management, joint and health concerns, cost, and time constraints influenced older adults’ decisions to participate in a modified sport program. These factors influenced the design of a 6-week pilot modified sport program conducted in Ararat with the local fitness centre. The program demonstrated high participant satisfaction and strong attendance, indicating its potential sustainability and attractiveness to older adults in rural communities.

This research was part-funded by the Western Alliance Academic Health Science Centre.

 

Supporting the wellbeing of staff caring for residents with challenging behaviours in Residential Aged Care (Swell-RAC)

Investigators: Bishop, J., Ottrey, E., Fraser, M., Teh, Ruth., Hitch, D., Dow, B., & Thomas, A.

Study contact: Jaclyn.bishop@eghs.net.au

 

Summary

This study investigated the factors influencing the wellbeing of aged care staff who care for residents with challenging behaviours from four aged care sites at East Grampians Health Service (EGHS). Interviews with staff identified both positive and negative influences on wellbeing, as well as the need for more organisational supports. A narrative review of existing published evidence identified several strategies that may support staff wellbeing. Information gathered from interviews, combined with existing evidence, was utilised in a process (known as co-design) where staff and consumers designed an initiative that supports staff wellbeing. The strategies that were identified by participants as priority areas informed the development of a wellbeing initiative; the Aged Care Staff Wellbeing Optimisation Program (AC-SWOP).

This research was part-funded by the Western Alliance Academic Health Science Centre and the Melbourne Ageing Research Collaboration (MARC).

 

The impact of the introduction of Montessori on social care-related quality of life in a rural aged care facility

Investigators: Fraser, M., Bishop, J., Mark, S., Ping, S., Budiarta, R., & Ottrey, E.

Study contact: ella.ottrey@eghs.net.au

 

Summary

This study evaluated the impact of the Montessori approach on the social care-related quality of life (SCRQoL) of aged care residents at Garden View Court. Surveys were conducted at three timepoints before and during the implementation of Montessori to measure resident SCRQoL. Interviews were conducted with residents, family members/support persons and staff to explore their experiences of the Montessori approach. The surveys showed residents rated their SCRQoL as high, with a non-significant increase between the first and third surveys. Analysis of the interview transcripts revealed the Montessori approach positively impacted residents’ SCRQoL through: providing activities that residents enjoyed and opportunities to be involved in daily tasks, enabling control over daily life and choice, and supporting social connections and a sense of belonging. The success of the program was influenced by: resident health and cognition, staff and resident knowledge and engagement, limited time and capacity to be involved, and leadership and facilitation support and resources. The findings will inform local strategies to maximise the engagement with the Montessori approach, as a mechanism to improve the quality of life for older people living in rural residential aged care facilities.

 

An Australian exploratory study of individual physical functioning and wellbeing of rural clients with chronic diseases whose structured exercise groups were cancelled due to social distancing requirements of the COVID-19 pandemic. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 29(5), 501-509.

Investigators: Romein, J., & Bishop, J.

Access full article: https://www.publish.csiro.au/PY/PY22229

Study contact: jake.romein@eghs.net.au

 

Summary

This study captured the physical functioning of structured exercise group clients before and after the break from group exercise due to COVID-19 (lockdown 1), their activity during lockdown, and their wellbeing on return to activity. Clinically significant changes in physical functioning when clients were unable to attend structured exercise groups for three months during the COVID-19 pandemic were not observed in this exploratory study. The study also found that despite the lockdown, clients had high satisfaction, high wellbeing and normal resilience. Well-controlled studies are required to determine the true impact of COVID-19 (or similar isolation) on physical functioning.

This research was supported in-kind by East Grampians Health Service.

Evaluation of a novel salaried medical officer position on service provision and performance at a rural health service: An exploratory mixed-methods study. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 30(1), 65-74.

Investigators: Bishop, J., & Ping, S.

Access full article: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/author/ZCZSDYGQJRBNGSNDI64R?target=10.1111/ajr.12807

Study contact: jaclyn.bishop@eghs.net.au

 

Summary

This study evaluated an on-site salaried medical officer (PGY2+, HMO) position designed to support local GPs to deliver care to EGHS patients and residents. The study found that the HMO position improved work efficiency, increased accessibility to timely medical advice and improved quality of care, particularly in patients at risk of sudden deterioration. The findings strongly support the development and evaluation of further HMO positions in rural health services that have the capability and capacity to sustain this position.

Evaluating the Aged Care Staff Wellbeing Optimisation Program (AC – SWOP)

Investigators: Bishop, J., Ottrey, E., Fraser, M., Hitch, D., & Thomas, A.

Study contact: jaclyn.bishop@eghs.net.au

Summary

Informed by the findings from the Swell-RAC research, the Aged Care – Staff Wellbeing Optimisation Program (AC-SWOP), has been designed and implemented across four aged care facilities to better support the wellbeing of aged care staff.

This study will evaluate the impact of AC-SWOP on aged care staff wellbeing in rural aged care facilities. This project will employ activity logs, staff surveys, interviews and facilitator questionnaires to understand staff engagement with, and experiences of, the wellbeing program and its impact on staff wellbeing. The findings will help to fill a significant gap in the literature and inform local approaches to staff wellbeing.

This research is part-funded by Western Alliance Academic Health Science Centre and Melbourne Ageing Research Collaboration (MARC).

 

A community-based strategy to increase the completion of Advance Care Directives in a local medical practice.

Investigators: Fraser, M., Bishop, J., Miller, J., & Ottrey, E.

Study contact: maree.fraser@eghs.net.au

 

Summary

This study will involve focus groups of consumers to explore if sending an SMS containing information about Advance Care Planning to consumers with an upcoming GP appointment would appeal to older people. Barriers and facilitators to older people receiving an SMS containing information will be investigated, as will what types of information about Advance Care Planning an older person would find beneficial.

This research is part-funded through a Western Alliance Emerging Researcher seed grant.

Developing and evaluating a toolkit to support the scaling of modified sports programs for older adults in rural areas.

Investigators: Romein, J., Ottrey, E., Talpey, S., & Bishop, J.

Study contact: jake.romein@eghs.net.au

 

Summary

Through the experience and knowledge gained from co-designing a successful modified sport program in the Ararat community, this research project collaborates with Rural Northwest Health to evaluate and refine a modified sport toolkit specifically designed for rural communities. This toolkit may be used by health organisations, sporting clubs, or community members to assist in implementing a modified sport program in their rural community, encouraging older adults to engage in physical activity.

This research is part-funded through a Western Alliance Emerging Researcher Translation grant.

Evaluating the Just Cos Initiative

Investigators: Bishop, J., Romein, J., Ottrey, E., & Conlin, M.

Study contact: michele.conlin@eghs.net.au or Jaclyn.bishop@eghs.net.au

 

Summary

Sometimes in a hospital it is just so busy that there is limited time for staff to work out whether the care being delivered is best practice. This project makes it easier for healthcare staff to find this out by submitting the practice they would like reviewed to the Just Cos Initiative. The Just Cos Initiative looks at the evidence to work out whether practice should change, and if yes, help that change to occur. This research will evaluate how successful the Just Cos Initiative was, by speaking to those involved and by counting the number of ideas that were submitted, reviewed and led to a change in practice or policy.

This research is part-funded through the DELIVER project’s improving research capacity component.

Exploring the integration of research placements in rural health services

Investigators: Conlin, M., Romein, J., & Bishop, J.

Study contact: michele.conlin@eghs.net.au

 

Summary

This research aims to explore how to integrate health research placements in rural health services. It will identify what is needed for this integration, uncover challenges and facilitators, and document the reported benefits and challenges of hosting student researchers in a rural setting.

This research is part-funded through the DELIVER project’s improving research capacity component.

 

Characterising General Practice Obstetricians in Australia

Investigators: Yum, W., Clarke, L., Beyera, G., & Stephen, N

Study contact: Waiyee.Yum@eghs.net.au

 

Summary

This study aims to explore why General Practitioner (GP) obstetricians in rural Australia choose to provide or not provide intrapartum care to women. The research will generate a comprehensive snapshot of the GP obstetric workforce in rural areas by examining key factors: “Who” (the demographics of GP obstetricians), “Where” (their location of work and model of employment), and “What” (the scope of their practice, including whether they provide intrapartum care and/or caesarean deliveries). Data will be collected through a survey.

 

 

I-HEART (Implementation of HEArt failure guidelines in Regional AusTralia)

Study contact: Alison.Fitzgerald@eghs.net.au

 

Summary

EGHS is participating in the i-HEART research project that is being implemented within 6 regional Victorian health services. I-HEART is a co-design project that aims to determine the effectiveness of implementing key recommendations from best-practice clinical guidelines for consumers admitted to hospital with heart failure. There is a particular emphasis on optimising post-discharge medications, enabling rapid access to heart failure specialists and community-based services within 30-days of discharge. It is anticipated that this project will enable consumers to remain well and stay in their community.

 

 

DELIVER

Link to website: Deliver

Study contact: Michele.conlin@eghs.net.au or Jake.romein@eghs.net.au

 

Summary

DELIVER brings together healthcare consumers, regional and rural health services, peak bodies, universities and primary healthcare providers across western Victoria to achieve better healthcare closer to home. Within EGHS, DELIVER is assisting with multiple projects and future opportunities such as, The Just Cos Initiative, Exploring the integration of research placements in rural health services, and improving research capacity and capabilities at EGHS.

THRIVE (The Healthy Regions InterVEntion project):

Study contact: Jake.romein@eghs.net.au

 

Summary

The THRIVE program offers a comprehensive approach to chronic disease prevention, integrating disease risk prediction with lifestyle modification coaching and personalised health monitoring using a digital-health based technology. THRIVE aims to provide early intervention strategies to reduce risk factors and prevent the onset of chronic diseases. The program addresses the inequities and inequalities experienced by people from rural and remote areas by targeting health challenges unique to these populations through patient-centred, tailored, evidence-based strategies.

EGHS will have the opportunity to work closely with the THRIVE team on future projects. THRIVE has delivered to Allied Health staff in the Community Health Centre a 2-day motivational interviewing workshop to enhance clinicians’ ability to help consumers achieve their behaviour change goals.