Dr. Guy Nehrenz

Examination of Changes in Youth Diet and Physical Activity over the Summer Vacation Period.
Allied Health Evaluation Review: Practice and Education Infrastructure
Has Speech-Language Pathology Changed? Personality Types of Contemporary Students
Preparing Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Students for Work-Related Practice: A Clinical Education Initiative at one Australian University
Evaluating patients' attitudes toward being assess and treated by undergraduate physiotherapy students in the rehabilitation centre.
Attitudes and barriers towards engaging in continuing professional development among clinical physiotherapist in Ghana
Multiple Intelligence Profiles of Athletic Training Students
New Jersey Coaches' Knowledge in Recognizing and Managing Concussion

Monday, November 5, 2012

Upcoming Manuscripts for April 2013 to Date

The following manuscripts are scheduled to be published.

The Clinical Education Experience of Student-Physiotherapists within a Transformed Model of Healthcare
Health Risk of Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS)
New Jersey Coaches' Knowledge in Recognizing and Managing Concusion
Online Occupational Therapy Program Assessment: Application of the Sloan Consortium's Model
Screening Services: An Underused Link in the Continuum of Care?
Isometric Endurance of Neck Muscles and Muscles for Scapular Positioning in Individuals with and without Postural Neck Pain
The effect of Pointe Shoe Toe Box Shape on Proprioception in Novice Ballet Dancers.
Finding Employees with Undiagnosed Diabetes

Perceptions of Feedback among Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students of Four Health Science Disciplines

The Mismatch Between Perceived and Preferred Expectations of Undergraduate Paramedic Students

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Perceptions of Feedback among Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students of Four Health Science Disciplines

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) in Rehabilitative Physiotherapy

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) in Rehabilitative Physiotherapy
Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) is considered to be an essential component of clinical service delivery in healthcare. Australian physiotherapists have access to a wide range of resources to support the implementation of EBP. However, research indicates variability in how physiotherapists apply EBP with a range of factors affecting the successful implementation of EBP into everyday clinical practice. Using survey methodology, this study examined whether participation in an EBP professional development workshop is an effective strategy to enhance knowledge, attitudes and behaviours associated with EBP of physiotherapists working in a rehabilitation setting. Results revealed that nearly one third of participants rated their EBP knowledge and skills at a higher level following attendance at the workshop. An increase in the frequency in EBP related activities by physiotherapists including conducting searches and reading or reviewing research literature to support clinical decision-making was observed following attendance at the EBP workshop. Participants’ opinions of the value of EBP in improving the quality of patient care were noted to be more positive following the workshop. This small-scale study provides some promising results regarding the positive effects that designated EBP professional development can have on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours of physiotherapists in their application of EBP. The elements that are required to further support and sustain a strong EBP culture amongst physiotherapists working in rehabilitation are also discussed.

Cimoli C. Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) in Rehabilitative Physiotherapy. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. Oct 2012. Volume 10 Number 4.

An Instrument for Assessing Communication Skills of Healthcare and Human Services Students

An Instrument for Assessing Communication Skills of Healthcare and Human Services Students
This manuscript reports on the original research that developed and tested an instrument to quantify basic communication skills of students in healthcare and human service education programs. Potential uses of this instrument include its use as a pre- and post-test assessment of instruction intended to improve communication skills and/or as another criteria for admission into healthcare and human service education programs. Results of this study indicate that the instrument has value in assessing communication skills.

Stroke Clinicians’ Priorities for Stroke Research

Stroke Clinicians’ Priorities for Stroke Research
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify research questions perceived as important by clinicians who treat stroke survivors in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Methods: A cross-sectional, 3-round Delphi survey method was used. Participants invited to respond in Round I included stroke researchers (n=26); Rounds II and III included stroke clinicians (n=470) identified from NSW Health Stroke Services and/or NSW Rural Stroke Service databases. Participants in Round I were asked to identify stroke research questions of the highest priority; participants in Rounds II and III then rated these research questions on both importance and feasibility using a 5-point Likert scale. Results: Responses were received from 14 expert stroke researchers during Round I (54%), 38 stroke clinicians (8%) in Round II, and 56 stroke clinicians (12%) in Round III. Research topics rated as “very important” were interventions that target life-long rehabilitation, best methods for providing post-discharge rehabilitation, and delivery of physical rehabilitation. Conclusions: Clinicians who provide day-to-day stroke care perceive that the effectiveness of rehabilitation interventions and delivery require investigation as a key priority.

Citation: Lannin N, Ada L, Lindley R, Longworth M, McCluskey A, Middleton S. Stroke Clinicians’ Priorities for Stroke Research. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. Oct 2012. Volume 10 Number 4.

UNILATERAL SHOULDER BAGS: CAN THEY BE WORN IN A WAY TO REDUCE POSTURAL ASYMMETRY?

UNILATERAL SHOULDER BAGS: CAN THEY BE WORN IN A WAY TO REDUCE POSTURAL ASYMMETRY?
Purpose: To investigate whether there is a way to wear a unilateral strap shoulder bag that will allow more symmetrical postural alignment, preventing potentially harmful musculoskeletal effects. Subjects: Sixty-five college student volunteers. Methods: Each participant donned a unilateral strap shoulder bag two different ways on the dominant and non-dominant shoulder while standing on a Postural Scale Analyzer to measure lower extremity weight distribution. Results: A significant improvement (p < 0.05) in lower extremity weight distribution was found in right hand dominant subjects (n = 63) when wearing a shoulder bag draped across the left shoulder to right hip. Discussion: When individuals who are right hand dominant wear a shoulder bag draped across the left shoulder (non-dominant shoulder), the weight distribution through the person’s lower extremities becomes more equal indicating improved postural symmetry in static standing. Conclusion: It is possible that individual prescription of a unilateral bag on the non-dominant shoulder draped across the body can be utilized to create a reduction in postural asymmetry demonstrated by more evenly distributed lower extremity loading. Recommendations: Health care providers, parents, students, and educators should be educated to carry an across-the-body unilateral strap shoulder bag that reduces postural asymmetry and the risk of future development of biomechanical problems and back pain in adulthood.

Citation: Qureshi Y, Shamus E. Unilateral Shoulder Bags: Can They Be Worn in a Way to Reduce Postural Asymmetry. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. Oct 2012. Volume 10 Number 4.