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Research paper thumbnail of A taste of ethical consumption at a slow food festival

Appetite, 2015

This paper examines the motives and experiences of attendees at a Slow Food festival to gain an u... more This paper examines the motives and experiences of attendees at a Slow Food festival to gain an understanding of how people engage with ethical consumer projects. Slow Food is a global social movement aimed at promoting food that is regionally, ethically, and sustainably produced, and convivially consumed. The movement uses culinary tourist events, such as food festivals and farmers markets, to promote its philosophy and attract new members. There have been no empirical studies of ethical consumption using a Slow Food event as a case study. This study uses an ethnographic approach and a framework of virtue ethics to explore the views of people attending a major Slow Food festival in the city of Melbourne, Australia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in situ with 33 participants (19 consumers and 14 stallholders) to discover their rationales for attending the festival, and their perspectives on ethical consumption. Transcripts were coded and thematically analysed, resulting in three themes reflecting varying degrees of public virtues (altruistic motivations) and private virtues (personal wellbeing): the quest for virtuous lifestyles through ethical consumption, the importance of co-production, and the challenges of putting ethical consumer projects like Slow Food into daily practice. The findings reveal the manner in which virtue ethics affects foodways and highlights the contingent and challenging nature of practising ethical eating.

Research paper thumbnail of The perspectives of obese women receiving antenatal care: A qualitative study of women's experiences

Women and Birth, 2015

The prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing amongst women of child bearing age. Matern... more The prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing amongst women of child bearing age. Maternal obesity has implications for both mother and baby including increased health risks from gestational hypertensive disorders, caesarean section and stillbirth. Despite the increasing prevalence of maternal obesity little is known of the experiences of these women within the health care system. The aim of this research was to investigate the perspectives of pregnant women with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥30kg/m(2) receiving antenatal care. A qualitative study using individual interviews was undertaken. Sixteen pregnant women with a BMI ≥30kg/m(2) participated. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, cross checked for consistency and then entered into a word processing document for analysis. Data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. In any phenomenological study the researcher's objective is to elicit the participant's views on their lived experiences. Four major themes emerged: (1) obese during pregnancy as part of a long history of obesity; (2) lack of knowledge of the key complications of obesity for both mother and child; (3) communication about weight and gestational weight gain can be conflicting, confusing and judgmental; (4) most women are motivated to eat well during pregnancy and want help to do so. Specialist lifestyle interventions for obese women should be a priority in antenatal care. Extra support is required to assist obese women in pregnancy achieve recommended nutritional and weight goals. Health professionals should approach the issue of maternal obesity in an informative but non-judgmental way.

Research paper thumbnail of Development and Pilot Testing of the Eating4two Mobile Phone App to Monitor Gestational Weight Gain

JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 2015

The number of pregnant women with a body mass index (BMI) of 30kg/m(2) or more is increasing, whi... more The number of pregnant women with a body mass index (BMI) of 30kg/m(2) or more is increasing, which has important implications for antenatal care. Various resource-intensive interventions have attempted to assist women in managing their weight gain during pregnancy with limited success. A mobile phone app has been proposed as a convenient and cost-effective alternative to face-to-face interventions. This paper describes the process of developing and pilot testing the Eating4Two app, which aims to provide women with a simple gestational weight gain (GWG) calculator, general dietary information, and the motivation to achieve a healthy weight gain during pregnancy. The project involved the development of app components, including a graphing function that allows the user to record their weight throughout the pregnancy and to receive real-time feedback on weight gain progress and general information on antenatal nutrition. Stakeholder consultation was used to inform development. The app was pilot tested with 10 pregnant women using a mixed method approach via an online survey, 2 focus groups, and 1 individual interview. The Eating4Two app took 7 months to develop and evaluate. It involved several disciplines--including nutrition and dietetics, midwifery, public health, and information technology--at the University of Canberra. Participants found the Eating4Two app to be a motivational tool but would have liked scales or other markers on the graph that demonstrated exact weight gain. They also liked the nutrition information; however, many felt it should be formatted in a more user friendly way. The Eating4Two app was viewed by participants in our study as an innovative support system to help motivate healthy behaviors during pregnancy and as a credible resource for accessing nutrition-focused information. The feedback provided by participants will assist with refining the current prototype for use in a clinical intervention trial.

Research paper thumbnail of Effects of short-term supplementation with bovine lactoferrin and/or immunoglobulins on body mass and metabolic measures: a randomised controlled trial

International journal of food sciences and nutrition, Jan 4, 2016

Given the role of the intestinal microbiota in obesity and related disease, strategies to modulat... more Given the role of the intestinal microbiota in obesity and related disease, strategies to modulate the composition of the intestinal microbiota may augment traditional weight-management approaches. Here, we examined the safety and tolerability of 28 days of supplementation with bovine whey-derived lactoferrin and immunoglobulin supplements in a cross-sectional cohort of free-living adults. Participants (n = 20 each group) received enteric-coated whey-derived bovine lactoferrin (200 mg), immunoglobulin (200 mg or 800 mg), combination lactoferrin/immunoglobuiln supplements (200 mg/200 mg, 200 mg/800 mg) or placebo in a double-blind design. Supplement use was generally well tolerated and routine haematology, and clinical chemistry measures were largely unchanged following supplementation. Measures of body composition remained stable and indices of glycaemic control and blood lipids revealed fluctuations of <5% but were not significantly different between groups. Overall, short-term ...

Research paper thumbnail of Effect of probiotics and synbiotics on blood glucose: a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials

European Journal of Nutrition, 2016

High fasting blood glucose (FBG) can lead to chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, cardiova... more High fasting blood glucose (FBG) can lead to chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular and kidney diseases. Consuming probiotics or synbiotics may improve FBG. A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials was conducted to clarify the effect of probiotic and synbiotic consumption on FBG levels. PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature databases were searched for relevant studies based on eligibility criteria. Randomized or non-randomized controlled trials which investigated the efficacy of probiotics or synbiotics on the FBG of adults were included. Studies were excluded if they were review articles and study protocols, or if the supplement dosage was not clearly mentioned. A total of fourteen studies (eighteen trials) were included in the analysis. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted for the mean difference in FBG. Overall reduction in FBG observed from consumption of probiotics and synbiotics was borderline statistically significant (-0.18 mmol/L 95 % CI -0.37, 0.00; p = 0.05). Neither probiotic nor synbiotic subgroup analysis revealed a significant reduction in FBG. The result of subgroup analysis for baseline FBG level ≥7 mmol/L showed a reduction in FBG of 0.68 mmol/L (-1.07, -0.29; ρ &lt; 0.01), while trials with multiple species of probiotics showed a more pronounced reduction of 0.31 mmol/L (-0.58, -0.03; ρ = 0.03) compared to single species trials. This meta-analysis suggests that probiotic and synbiotic supplementation may be beneficial in lowering FBG in adults with high baseline FBG (≥7 mmol/L) and that multispecies probiotics may have more impact on FBG than single species.

Research paper thumbnail of The Sociology of Food and Nutrition, Australian Perspectives: The Australian Sociological Association Papers Presented at the 1995 Sociology Conference Hosted by the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, the University of Newcastle

Research paper thumbnail of The social appetite: a sociological approach to food and nutrition| NOVA. The University of Newcastle's Digital Repository

Description What role does the production, distribution, and consumption of food play in determin... more Description What role does the production, distribution, and consumption of food play in determining health and illness?; Why is the food supply subject to medicalisation and McDonaldisation, and how do these social trends impact on population health?; Why is the developed world worried about an obesity epidemic and what are the consequences of this concern? Food is both a part of the daily social life of individuals and a way to achieve health. While hunger is an ever-present reality for people in less developed countries, in ...

Research paper thumbnail of The Slow Food Story, Bite Me, The Globalisation of Food

We live in an era seemingly obsessed with food, where celebrity chefs are household names—Jamie O... more We live in an era seemingly obsessed with food, where celebrity chefs are household names—Jamie Oliver, Gordon Ramsay, Nigella Lawson, and Heston Blumenthal to name a few—and reality TV shows like Master Chef and My Kitchen Rules dominate the ratings. Food documentaries and books critiquing the food industry top the bestseller lists, such as Eric Schlosser's Fast Food Nation (2001; subsequently used as the basis for a Hollywood film), Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma (2006), and Raj Patel's Stuffed and ...

Research paper thumbnail of Surviving first year uni

University can be bewildering at first: you need to understand the system to make the most of it.... more University can be bewildering at first: you need to understand the system to make the most of it. Surviving First Year University gives you the information you need to not only survive, but to enjoy the experience and, most importantly, get good marks! Whether you are full-time or part-time, on-campus or studying by &amp;#39;flexible delivery&amp;#39;, you need to learn key study skills as quickly as possible. The authors show you how to: * Use the internet efficiently for research * Develop your skills in note taking, writing and referencing * Do well in exams * Prepare successful oral presentations * Get the most out of working in groups * Take advantage of university support services Written in the user-friendly style of the bestselling guides Get Great Marks for Your Essays and Get Great Information Fast by the same authors, this book gives you a head start to surviving and doing well at uni.

Research paper thumbnail of Get Great Info. rm@ tion Fast

Research paper thumbnail of The thin ideal: women, food and dieting

A sociology of food and …, 1999

Research paper thumbnail of Introducing the Social Appetite: Why Do We Need a Sociology of Food and Nutrition

A Sociology of Food and Nutrition. The Social Appetite, 1999

Research paper thumbnail of The Hyper-Rational Social Appetite: Towards a Synthesis of Food Trends

A sociology of food and …, 1999

Research paper thumbnail of Does motivational interviewing align with international scope of practice, professional competency standards, and best practice guidelines in dietetics practice? | NOVA. The University of Newcastle's Digital Repository

Journal of the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Mar 6, 2014

Research paper thumbnail of Going rural but not staying long: Recruitment andretention issues for the rural dietetic workforcein Australia

Research paper thumbnail of Champions for expanding the dietetics workforce in rural areas

Research paper thumbnail of Development and characteristics of the dietetic workforce in six rural sites in NSW

Research paper thumbnail of Jostling for position: a sociology of allied health | NOVA. The University of Newcastle's Digital Repository

Research paper thumbnail of Feasibility of Clinical Psychosocial Screening in Pediatric Oncology: Implementing the PAT2.0

Journal of psychosocial oncology, Jan 11, 2016

This study examined the feasibility of implementing the Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT2.0) fro... more This study examined the feasibility of implementing the Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT2.0) from the perspectives of families and healthcare providers (HCPs). PAT2.0 data was collected from 104 families. Individual and focus group interviews were conducted with HCPs. Parents reported the PAT2.0 was brief and easy to complete. HCPs perspectives on the utility of the PAT2.0 were mixed and varied according to clinical roles. A major perceived benefit was the PAT2.0 as a communication tool. Barriers included timing and increased social worker workload. Psychosocial screening represents a significant practice change for oncology HCPs and is an important area of ongoing research.

Research paper thumbnail of Features of a best practice dietetic service for rural patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy

ABSTRACT There is a lack of clarity concerning the delivery of nutrition services in the rural se... more ABSTRACT There is a lack of clarity concerning the delivery of nutrition services in the rural setting. This study aimed to determine features of a best practice dietetic service for rural patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy. The study design was a randomised controlled trial, comparing a predetermined best practice protocol with usual care, as provided by the local hospital. Twenty-four patients were recruited (57% response rate), average age 60.5 yrs. At assessment 38% were classified as malnourished using the Patient Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA), 50% scoring 4 or greater indicating they required nutrition intervention. Participants were surveyed regarding their preferred methods of follow-up and service delivery. Care was individualised and attempts were made to utilise newer technology to deliver components of the service. A majority lived greater than 20km from the hospital, with 33.3% living greater than 100km away. Services were provided most days of the week and at various times. Patients allocated to usual care received fewer services in total. The preferred method of review was phone or in person at the time of treatment. In the rural setting it seems that highly defined protocols for best practice are unsuitable. In this study more than half of all the service delivery was outside the designated clinic times. Services designed for rural based patients need to be flexible in; method of delivery, days of service provision and availability of the dietitian. These extra needs should be included in any staffing profiles.

Research paper thumbnail of A taste of ethical consumption at a slow food festival

Appetite, 2015

This paper examines the motives and experiences of attendees at a Slow Food festival to gain an u... more This paper examines the motives and experiences of attendees at a Slow Food festival to gain an understanding of how people engage with ethical consumer projects. Slow Food is a global social movement aimed at promoting food that is regionally, ethically, and sustainably produced, and convivially consumed. The movement uses culinary tourist events, such as food festivals and farmers markets, to promote its philosophy and attract new members. There have been no empirical studies of ethical consumption using a Slow Food event as a case study. This study uses an ethnographic approach and a framework of virtue ethics to explore the views of people attending a major Slow Food festival in the city of Melbourne, Australia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in situ with 33 participants (19 consumers and 14 stallholders) to discover their rationales for attending the festival, and their perspectives on ethical consumption. Transcripts were coded and thematically analysed, resulting in three themes reflecting varying degrees of public virtues (altruistic motivations) and private virtues (personal wellbeing): the quest for virtuous lifestyles through ethical consumption, the importance of co-production, and the challenges of putting ethical consumer projects like Slow Food into daily practice. The findings reveal the manner in which virtue ethics affects foodways and highlights the contingent and challenging nature of practising ethical eating.

Research paper thumbnail of The perspectives of obese women receiving antenatal care: A qualitative study of women's experiences

Women and Birth, 2015

The prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing amongst women of child bearing age. Matern... more The prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing amongst women of child bearing age. Maternal obesity has implications for both mother and baby including increased health risks from gestational hypertensive disorders, caesarean section and stillbirth. Despite the increasing prevalence of maternal obesity little is known of the experiences of these women within the health care system. The aim of this research was to investigate the perspectives of pregnant women with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥30kg/m(2) receiving antenatal care. A qualitative study using individual interviews was undertaken. Sixteen pregnant women with a BMI ≥30kg/m(2) participated. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, cross checked for consistency and then entered into a word processing document for analysis. Data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. In any phenomenological study the researcher&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s objective is to elicit the participant&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s views on their lived experiences. Four major themes emerged: (1) obese during pregnancy as part of a long history of obesity; (2) lack of knowledge of the key complications of obesity for both mother and child; (3) communication about weight and gestational weight gain can be conflicting, confusing and judgmental; (4) most women are motivated to eat well during pregnancy and want help to do so. Specialist lifestyle interventions for obese women should be a priority in antenatal care. Extra support is required to assist obese women in pregnancy achieve recommended nutritional and weight goals. Health professionals should approach the issue of maternal obesity in an informative but non-judgmental way.

Research paper thumbnail of Development and Pilot Testing of the Eating4two Mobile Phone App to Monitor Gestational Weight Gain

JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 2015

The number of pregnant women with a body mass index (BMI) of 30kg/m(2) or more is increasing, whi... more The number of pregnant women with a body mass index (BMI) of 30kg/m(2) or more is increasing, which has important implications for antenatal care. Various resource-intensive interventions have attempted to assist women in managing their weight gain during pregnancy with limited success. A mobile phone app has been proposed as a convenient and cost-effective alternative to face-to-face interventions. This paper describes the process of developing and pilot testing the Eating4Two app, which aims to provide women with a simple gestational weight gain (GWG) calculator, general dietary information, and the motivation to achieve a healthy weight gain during pregnancy. The project involved the development of app components, including a graphing function that allows the user to record their weight throughout the pregnancy and to receive real-time feedback on weight gain progress and general information on antenatal nutrition. Stakeholder consultation was used to inform development. The app was pilot tested with 10 pregnant women using a mixed method approach via an online survey, 2 focus groups, and 1 individual interview. The Eating4Two app took 7 months to develop and evaluate. It involved several disciplines--including nutrition and dietetics, midwifery, public health, and information technology--at the University of Canberra. Participants found the Eating4Two app to be a motivational tool but would have liked scales or other markers on the graph that demonstrated exact weight gain. They also liked the nutrition information; however, many felt it should be formatted in a more user friendly way. The Eating4Two app was viewed by participants in our study as an innovative support system to help motivate healthy behaviors during pregnancy and as a credible resource for accessing nutrition-focused information. The feedback provided by participants will assist with refining the current prototype for use in a clinical intervention trial.

Research paper thumbnail of Effects of short-term supplementation with bovine lactoferrin and/or immunoglobulins on body mass and metabolic measures: a randomised controlled trial

International journal of food sciences and nutrition, Jan 4, 2016

Given the role of the intestinal microbiota in obesity and related disease, strategies to modulat... more Given the role of the intestinal microbiota in obesity and related disease, strategies to modulate the composition of the intestinal microbiota may augment traditional weight-management approaches. Here, we examined the safety and tolerability of 28 days of supplementation with bovine whey-derived lactoferrin and immunoglobulin supplements in a cross-sectional cohort of free-living adults. Participants (n = 20 each group) received enteric-coated whey-derived bovine lactoferrin (200 mg), immunoglobulin (200 mg or 800 mg), combination lactoferrin/immunoglobuiln supplements (200 mg/200 mg, 200 mg/800 mg) or placebo in a double-blind design. Supplement use was generally well tolerated and routine haematology, and clinical chemistry measures were largely unchanged following supplementation. Measures of body composition remained stable and indices of glycaemic control and blood lipids revealed fluctuations of <5% but were not significantly different between groups. Overall, short-term ...

Research paper thumbnail of Effect of probiotics and synbiotics on blood glucose: a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials

European Journal of Nutrition, 2016

High fasting blood glucose (FBG) can lead to chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, cardiova... more High fasting blood glucose (FBG) can lead to chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular and kidney diseases. Consuming probiotics or synbiotics may improve FBG. A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials was conducted to clarify the effect of probiotic and synbiotic consumption on FBG levels. PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature databases were searched for relevant studies based on eligibility criteria. Randomized or non-randomized controlled trials which investigated the efficacy of probiotics or synbiotics on the FBG of adults were included. Studies were excluded if they were review articles and study protocols, or if the supplement dosage was not clearly mentioned. A total of fourteen studies (eighteen trials) were included in the analysis. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted for the mean difference in FBG. Overall reduction in FBG observed from consumption of probiotics and synbiotics was borderline statistically significant (-0.18 mmol/L 95 % CI -0.37, 0.00; p = 0.05). Neither probiotic nor synbiotic subgroup analysis revealed a significant reduction in FBG. The result of subgroup analysis for baseline FBG level ≥7 mmol/L showed a reduction in FBG of 0.68 mmol/L (-1.07, -0.29; ρ &lt; 0.01), while trials with multiple species of probiotics showed a more pronounced reduction of 0.31 mmol/L (-0.58, -0.03; ρ = 0.03) compared to single species trials. This meta-analysis suggests that probiotic and synbiotic supplementation may be beneficial in lowering FBG in adults with high baseline FBG (≥7 mmol/L) and that multispecies probiotics may have more impact on FBG than single species.

Research paper thumbnail of The Sociology of Food and Nutrition, Australian Perspectives: The Australian Sociological Association Papers Presented at the 1995 Sociology Conference Hosted by the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, the University of Newcastle

Research paper thumbnail of The social appetite: a sociological approach to food and nutrition| NOVA. The University of Newcastle's Digital Repository

Description What role does the production, distribution, and consumption of food play in determin... more Description What role does the production, distribution, and consumption of food play in determining health and illness?; Why is the food supply subject to medicalisation and McDonaldisation, and how do these social trends impact on population health?; Why is the developed world worried about an obesity epidemic and what are the consequences of this concern? Food is both a part of the daily social life of individuals and a way to achieve health. While hunger is an ever-present reality for people in less developed countries, in ...

Research paper thumbnail of The Slow Food Story, Bite Me, The Globalisation of Food

We live in an era seemingly obsessed with food, where celebrity chefs are household names—Jamie O... more We live in an era seemingly obsessed with food, where celebrity chefs are household names—Jamie Oliver, Gordon Ramsay, Nigella Lawson, and Heston Blumenthal to name a few—and reality TV shows like Master Chef and My Kitchen Rules dominate the ratings. Food documentaries and books critiquing the food industry top the bestseller lists, such as Eric Schlosser's Fast Food Nation (2001; subsequently used as the basis for a Hollywood film), Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma (2006), and Raj Patel's Stuffed and ...

Research paper thumbnail of Surviving first year uni

University can be bewildering at first: you need to understand the system to make the most of it.... more University can be bewildering at first: you need to understand the system to make the most of it. Surviving First Year University gives you the information you need to not only survive, but to enjoy the experience and, most importantly, get good marks! Whether you are full-time or part-time, on-campus or studying by &amp;#39;flexible delivery&amp;#39;, you need to learn key study skills as quickly as possible. The authors show you how to: * Use the internet efficiently for research * Develop your skills in note taking, writing and referencing * Do well in exams * Prepare successful oral presentations * Get the most out of working in groups * Take advantage of university support services Written in the user-friendly style of the bestselling guides Get Great Marks for Your Essays and Get Great Information Fast by the same authors, this book gives you a head start to surviving and doing well at uni.

Research paper thumbnail of Get Great Info. rm@ tion Fast

Research paper thumbnail of The thin ideal: women, food and dieting

A sociology of food and …, 1999

Research paper thumbnail of Introducing the Social Appetite: Why Do We Need a Sociology of Food and Nutrition

A Sociology of Food and Nutrition. The Social Appetite, 1999

Research paper thumbnail of The Hyper-Rational Social Appetite: Towards a Synthesis of Food Trends

A sociology of food and …, 1999

Research paper thumbnail of Does motivational interviewing align with international scope of practice, professional competency standards, and best practice guidelines in dietetics practice? | NOVA. The University of Newcastle's Digital Repository

Journal of the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Mar 6, 2014

Research paper thumbnail of Going rural but not staying long: Recruitment andretention issues for the rural dietetic workforcein Australia

Research paper thumbnail of Champions for expanding the dietetics workforce in rural areas

Research paper thumbnail of Development and characteristics of the dietetic workforce in six rural sites in NSW

Research paper thumbnail of Jostling for position: a sociology of allied health | NOVA. The University of Newcastle's Digital Repository

Research paper thumbnail of Feasibility of Clinical Psychosocial Screening in Pediatric Oncology: Implementing the PAT2.0

Journal of psychosocial oncology, Jan 11, 2016

This study examined the feasibility of implementing the Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT2.0) fro... more This study examined the feasibility of implementing the Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT2.0) from the perspectives of families and healthcare providers (HCPs). PAT2.0 data was collected from 104 families. Individual and focus group interviews were conducted with HCPs. Parents reported the PAT2.0 was brief and easy to complete. HCPs perspectives on the utility of the PAT2.0 were mixed and varied according to clinical roles. A major perceived benefit was the PAT2.0 as a communication tool. Barriers included timing and increased social worker workload. Psychosocial screening represents a significant practice change for oncology HCPs and is an important area of ongoing research.

Research paper thumbnail of Features of a best practice dietetic service for rural patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy

ABSTRACT There is a lack of clarity concerning the delivery of nutrition services in the rural se... more ABSTRACT There is a lack of clarity concerning the delivery of nutrition services in the rural setting. This study aimed to determine features of a best practice dietetic service for rural patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy. The study design was a randomised controlled trial, comparing a predetermined best practice protocol with usual care, as provided by the local hospital. Twenty-four patients were recruited (57% response rate), average age 60.5 yrs. At assessment 38% were classified as malnourished using the Patient Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA), 50% scoring 4 or greater indicating they required nutrition intervention. Participants were surveyed regarding their preferred methods of follow-up and service delivery. Care was individualised and attempts were made to utilise newer technology to deliver components of the service. A majority lived greater than 20km from the hospital, with 33.3% living greater than 100km away. Services were provided most days of the week and at various times. Patients allocated to usual care received fewer services in total. The preferred method of review was phone or in person at the time of treatment. In the rural setting it seems that highly defined protocols for best practice are unsuitable. In this study more than half of all the service delivery was outside the designated clinic times. Services designed for rural based patients need to be flexible in; method of delivery, days of service provision and availability of the dietitian. These extra needs should be included in any staffing profiles.