https://mnclhd.intersearch.com.au/mnclhdjspui/handle/123456789/16 2026-05-23T11:00:39Z 2026-05-23T11:00:39Z Mudd, E. Tutty, A. Kamper, S. J. Cashin, A. G. Michaleff, Z. A. Davidson, S. R. Alves, E. Browne, S. Linton, J. McAuley, J. H. Williams, C. M. https://mnclhd.intersearch.com.au/mnclhdjspui/handle/123456789/730 2026-04-23T05:55:23Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Weight management for chronic low back pain Authors: Mudd, E.; Tutty, A.; Kamper, S. J.; Cashin, A. G.; Michaleff, Z. A.; Davidson, S. R.; Alves, E.; Browne, S.; Linton, J.; McAuley, J. H.; Williams, C. M. Abstract: This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To evaluate the benefits and harms of weight management interventions for chronic non-specific low back pain in adults.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Bogard, I. Kamper, S. Montgomery, L. R. C. Williams, C. M. Leite, M. N. Gorringe, J. Gordon, G. Yamato, T. P. https://mnclhd.intersearch.com.au/mnclhdjspui/handle/123456789/724 2026-04-21T03:49:25Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Adolescents' understanding of pain and their preferences for learning about pain at school: a cross-sectional survey Authors: Bogard, I.; Kamper, S.; Montgomery, L. R. C.; Williams, C. M.; Leite, M. N.; Gorringe, J.; Gordon, G.; Yamato, T. P. Abstract: Background: Pain is prevalent in young people, and can significantly impact their physical, social, and psychological health during adolescence and potentially throughout their life. Despite this, there are no well-resourced public health initiatives educating adolescents about pain. Delivering pain education in schools ensures all adolescents have access to evidence-based information about pain. Few studies have delivered pain education to schoolchildren, and none have considered their preferences for learning about pain. We aimed to identify adolescents' (1) understanding of pain, (2) preferences for content of pain education, and (3) preferences for delivery of pain education at school, to inform the development of a school-based pain education module. Methods: We conducted an online cross-sectional survey of 501 Australian students in grades 7-10 (mean age = 14 [SD 1.3]; 50.9% male) about their knowledge of pain using the Conceptualization of Pain Questionnaire, and their preferences for learning about pain at school. Participants were asked about their preferences for pain education content, who they would like to deliver the pain education and using which delivery mode (in-person, online or a combination, with branching logic for specific options). Free-text options were included for preferences not listed. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics; measures of central tendency (depending on the distribution of data) for continuous variables and proportions for categorical variables. Results: Aim 1) on average, participants scored approximately half (mean=7.4 [SD 2.5]) of the fifteen pain knowledge items correct. Aim 2) participants preferred to learn about ways to treat pain (70.5%), different types of pain (67.1%) and the role of the brain and nerves in pain (62.1%). Aim 3) most preferred to be taught about pain by health professionals (84.4%), followed by teachers (48.3%). Nearly half (48.7%) preferred to be taught using a combination of online and in-person approaches with the highest preference for educational video and class discussion (67.6%). Conclusions: Adolescents have some beliefs about pain and injury that do not align with current scientific understanding of pain. These misconceptions could be addressed in pain education at school. School-based pain education programs should include content that aligns with their preferences and use a combination of online and in-person approaches to engage adolescents.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Terry, J.B. Flatley, C.J. van den Berg, D. J. Morgan, G.G. Trent, M. Turahui, J.A. Greenwood, M.C. Corben, P. W. Bell, G.J. https://mnclhd.intersearch.com.au/mnclhdjspui/handle/123456789/723 2026-03-26T02:58:32Z 2015-03-01T00:00:00Z

Title: A field study of household attack rates and the effectiveness of macrolide antibiotics in reducing household transmission of pertussis. Authors: Terry, J.B.; Flatley, C.J.; van den Berg, D. J.; Morgan, G.G.; Trent, M.; Turahui, J.A.; Greenwood, M.C.; Corben, P. W.; Bell, G.J. Abstract: Bordetella pertussis (whooping cough) is an endemic, highly contagious bacterial respiratory infection, which is notifiable to Australian state and territory health departments. Between 2008 and 2011 there was a substantial outbreak in New South Wales with an initial increase in cases occurring in North Coast New South Wales from late 2007. During September and October 2011 the North Coast Public Health Unit conducted a household study of secondary attack rates to assess the effectiveness of pertussis vaccination as well as the timely use of antibiotics in preventing household transmission. At the time the study was commenced, notified cases included a large proportion of individuals with a documented history of vaccination against pertussis. We found lower attack rates amongst vaccinated compared with non-vaccinated subjects in all age groups, with the exception of the 5-11 years age group, who were also primarily responsible for the introduction of pertussis into the household. There was an increased risk of pertussis transmission from the household first primary case to contacts when antibiotic treatment was commenced later than 7 days after the onset of symptoms compared with within 7 days. This protective effect of timely antibiotic treatment in relation to transmission highlights the need to control for antibiotic treatment in field studies of pertussis. The benefits of timely diagnosis and use of antibiotics in preventing household transmission underscore the importance of early presentation and diagnosis of pertussis cases, particularly in households with susceptible occupants.

2015-03-01T00:00:00Z Mueller, K. Stephens, A. Williams, C. M. Cox, G. R. Menzel, K. L. https://mnclhd.intersearch.com.au/mnclhdjspui/handle/123456789/710 2026-02-16T06:02:39Z 2025-12-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Evaluation of the research capacity and culture within the allied health workforce in Northern New South Wales Local Health District: a cross-sectional observational study. Authors: Mueller, K.; Stephens, A.; Williams, C. M.; Cox, G. R.; Menzel, K. L. Abstract: Background: Health professionals working in health services are uniquely placed to carry out research to improve health service provision. Improving research capacity and culture in health organisations benefits patients, health professionals, health services and society more broadly. This cross-sectional observational study aimed to evaluate the current research capacity and culture within the Allied Health workforce in the publicly funded, non-metropolitan Northern New South Wales (NNSW) Local Health District (LHD). Additionally, the study aimed to explore whether Allied Health staff have undertaken research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, and if so, whether the research was conducted in a culturally safe and responsive way. Methods: The validated Research Capacity and Culture tool was administered to the Allied Health workforce in NNSWLHD to evaluate the research capacity and culture, within and across three domains (Organisation, Team and Individual), including research involvement, perceived barriers and motivators for undertaking research, and participants' experience in conducting research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, and median responses between domains were compared. Qualitative data were obtained through two open-ended questions and thematically analysed. Results: A total of 147 Allied Health professionals from 15 disciplines completed the survey. Participants reported low-to-moderate levels of skills and success across all three domains. Most participants were not currently involved in research. Motivators for undertaking research included encouragement by managers, research mentoring, and a problem identified that needs changing, whilst barriers were lack of time, other work roles take priority, lack of suitable backfill, and staff shortages. Few participants reported having ever contributed to a research project involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Conclusions: Research capacity building strategies within Allied Health in NNSWLHD should utilise a "whole of system" approach, including research career pathways, funding, backfill, mentoring, opportunities to upskill in research writing and develop skills to conduct research in a culturally safe and responsive way. Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clinicians to build research capacity can shape the health research agenda, inform health policies, support evidence-led clinical care, and in turn, the well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. Keywords: Aboriginal health research; Allied health research; Clinician research; Health service research; Organisation culture; Research capacity; Research culture.

2025-12-01T00:00:00Z