2021 Publications
Psychosocial and clinical predictors of continued cancer screening in older adults – Jenna Smith et al
Many older adults (aged 75+) continue cancer screening despite guidelines suggesting they should not. Using mixed-methods, we examined psychosocial and clinical factors associated with continued breast/prostate screening.
The impact of theory-based messages on COVID-19 vaccination intentions: a structured summary of a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial – Ben Young et al
Uptake of vaccination against COVID-19 is key to controlling the pandemic. However, a significant proportion of people report that they do not intend to have a vaccine, often because of concerns they have about vaccine side effects or safety. This study will assess the impact [...]
Type 2 diabetes self-management schemas across diverse health literacy levels: a qualitative investigation – Julie Ayre et al
The aim of this study was to explore how people with diabetes and diverse health literacy levels conceptualise their experience and efforts to engage in self-management behaviours (their self-management 'schemas'). A qualitative design was applied. Twenty-six people in Sydney, Australia, took part in semi-structured interviews, [...]
Perceived public health threat a key factor for willingness to get the COVID-19 vaccine in Australia – Rachael Dodd et al (Preprint)
Vaccination rollout against COVID-19 has begun across multiple countries worldwide. Although the vaccine is free, rollout might still be compromised by hesitancy or concerns about COVID-19 vaccines.
Positive outcomes associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia – Sam Cornell et al
A national online longitudinal survey in June 2020 investigated whether Australians have experienced any positive effects during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Participants (n=1370) were asked ‘In your life, have you experienced any positive effects from the COVID‐19 pandemic’ (yes/no) and also completed the World Health Organisation‐Five [...]
Polycystic ovary syndrome: why widening the diagnostic criteria may be harming women – Tessa Copp et al (Opinion)
The 2018 International Guidelines for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) were intended to standardise diagnosis and improve care, but they also endorsed the controversial Rotterdam diagnostic criteria. These include a larger pool of individuals than alternative definitions and turn many more women into PCOS patients. A growing body of research shows [...]
Benefits and Harms of Hypertension and High-Normal Labels: A Randomized Experiment – Danielle Muscat et al
Recent US guidelines lowered the threshold for diagnosing hypertension while other international guidelines use alternative/no labels for the same group (blood pressure [BP], <140/90 mm Hg). We investigated potential benefits and harms of hypertension and high-normal BP labels, compared with control, among people at lower [...]
The Psychological Impact of Hypertension During COVID-19 Restrictions: Retrospective Case-Control Study – Carissa Bonner et al
It is unclear how people with hypertension are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic given their increased risk, and whether targeted public health strategies are needed. This retrospective case-control study compared people with hypertension to matched healthy controls during the COVID-19 lockdown to determine whether they [...]
Using Facebook to recruit to a national online survey investigating complementary medicine product use in pregnancy and lactation: A case study of method – Larisa Barnes et al
Online recruitment can be targeted efficiently to recruit specific samples for survey research. It has been shown to be a cost-effective method of recruitment, and useful for geographically dispersed populations.
Effectiveness of a multifaceted intervention to improve emergency department care of low back pain: a stepped-wedge, cluster-randomised trial – Danielle Coombs et al
Overuse of lumbar imaging is common in the emergency department (ED). Few trials have examined interventions to address this. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a multifaceted intervention to implement guideline recommendations for low back pain in the emergency department.