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Leeson-Smith M, Geddes L, Johnson H, Pit S, Ramsden R. Prevalence of technology and connectivity issues in general practices in rural New South Wales and their impact on staff capability to perform their job. Aust J Rural Health 2024; 32:715-723. [PMID: 38706198 DOI: 10.1111/ajr.13129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify the technology and connectivity issues in rural and remote general practices, and the factors independently associated with these issues that negatively impact staff's capability to perform their job. METHODS An annual cross-sectional survey of rural and remote general practice managers. Dependent variables included demographic data, practice size, geographic location, connection type and frequency of connectivity issues. Descriptive statistics are presented, and bivariate logistic regression was undertaken to determine factors independently associated with connectivity issues that negatively impact staff's capability to perform their job. PARTICIPANTS One hundred sixty-eight general practice managers from rural and remote New South Wales. RESULTS The majority of respondents (87%, n = 146) indicated that technology and connectivity issues had impacted staff's capability to perform their job. Internet problems were the most frequently reported issue (36%, n = 61). In bivariate analysis, practices that had a total clinical staff headcount between 5 and 7 (OR 0.27; 95% CI 0.10-0.67; p = 0.005) or between 8 and 11 (OR 0.39; 95% CI 0.16-0.95; p = 0.038) were significantly less likely to report technology and connectivity issues that negatively impact staff's capability to perform their job, compared with practices with a total clinical headcount of less than five. CONCLUSIONS Technology and connectivity issues persist in rural and remote general practices. This is the first study to demonstrate that technology and connectivity issues impact on rural staff's capability to perform their job. Furthermore, smaller practices face more technology and connectivity issues that negatively impact staff's capability to do their job than larger practices. Further research is required to find solutions to address these challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margot Leeson-Smith
- Rural Clinical School, School Of Medicine, Sydney Program, University of Notre Dame Sydney, Chippendale, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Louise Geddes
- Rural Clinical School, School Of Medicine, Sydney Program, University of Notre Dame Sydney, Chippendale, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Heath Johnson
- Rural Doctors Network, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sabrina Pit
- University of Sydney, University Centre for Rural Health, Lismore, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney, Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia
- Work Wiser International, Lennox Head, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Robyn Ramsden
- Rural Doctors Network, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
- Deakin University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia
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Sabeti S, Morris N, Shoghli O. Mixed-method usability investigation of ARROWS: augmented reality for roadway work zone safety. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND ERGONOMICS 2024; 30:292-303. [PMID: 38097505 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2023.2295660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
This article explores the usability and user experience challenges of ARROWS, a novel augmented reality (AR) and wearable technology (WT) safety system for roadway work zones, an area with limited existing usability research. We utilized a mixed-method approach with two complementary experiments in indoor and outdoor settings, using the Wizard of Oz methodology and a high-fidelity prototype. We focused on identifying usability challenges, factors contributing to user experience and the distinct needs of highway workers, documenting results using the system usability scale (SUS), the rating scale mental effort (RSME) and a trust score. Participants rated the usability of ARROWS above average in both settings, while making a reasonable level of mental effort. The findings also indicate a significant correlation between perceived trust and usability, highlighting the importance of trust in user experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepehr Sabeti
- William States Lee College of Engineering, UNC Charlotte, USA
| | - Nichole Morris
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, USA
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Hurst KP, Ramsden R, Roach C, Colbran R. Exploring the impact of recovery funding on the well-being and health workforce capability of rural practices during natural disasters and emergencies. Aust J Rural Health 2024; 32:90-102. [PMID: 37997633 DOI: 10.1111/ajr.13062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study examines the impact of funding provided to support the well-being of rural health practitioners and their practice staff following the 2019-2022 bushfires. OBJECTIVE To assess the benefits and implications of grant funding for rural practices to aid recovery following bushfires in NSW, Australia. DESIGN An explanatory sequential mixed method design consisted of a survey and a thematic analysis of semi-structured Interviews. FINDINGS Five key themes emerged from analysis: (1) the disasters altered the role of the practice and therapeutic relationships; (2) the funding had a positive impact on access to professional development; (3) the training had a positive impact on staff well-being and resilience; (4) the professional development had a positive impact on rural practitioner's sense of capability; and (5) important elements of future grant opportunities. DISCUSSION The findings indicate the importance of recovering funding to facilitate access to professional development for rural health practioners during natural disasters which improved their mental health and wellbeing, capability and support to clients. CONCLUSION Recovery funding facilitated improvement in workforce capability, professional resilience, mental health and well-being in the face of natural disasters and emergencies. There was a link between training and maintaining the capability of rural health care practitioners and their practice staff. Capability was an important factor in the well-being and resilience of the health workforce and their ability to support clients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate P Hurst
- Wagga Wagga Clinical School, The University of Notre Dame Australia, South Bowenfels, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Robyn Ramsden
- NSW Rural Doctors Network, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Christine Roach
- NSW Rural Doctors Network, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Richard Colbran
- NSW Rural Doctors Network, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
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Islam MI, Bagnulo S, Wang Y, Ramsden R, Wrightson T, Masset A, Colbran R, Edwards M, Martiniuk A. Job Satisfaction of Health Practitioners Providing Outreach Health Services during COVID-19 in Rural New South Wales (NSW) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Australia. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 11:3. [PMID: 36611463 PMCID: PMC9819187 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Outreach health practitioners play a key role in enhancing access to healthcare for remote, rural, regional, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia. Outreach health practitioners are those providing ongoing and integrated health services in communities that would otherwise have limited access. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to understand the job satisfaction of health workers as it correlates with long-term retention of the workforce, as well as effectiveness in the role and clinical outcomes for patients. Method: The study analysed data from 258 outreach health practitioners who responded to two cross-sectional surveys conducted by the NSW Rural Doctors Network during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020/21 and 2021/22 in NSW and the ACT, Australia. Both bivariate and multivariate analyses were employed to assess the associations between the outcome variable (outreach health practitioners' job satisfaction) and independent variables (sociodemographic factors, motivation, self-confidence, communication, capability). Results: Overall, the study showed that 92.2% of health practitioners were satisfied in their role providing outreach health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the multivariable model, factors significantly associated with higher satisfaction included good communication with other local health practitioners, using telehealth along with in-person care, and having high self-rated capability compared to those health practitioners who said they had lower job satisfaction. Conclusions: Outreach health practitioners' job satisfaction is important because poor satisfaction may lead to suboptimal healthcare delivery, poor clinical outcomes, and poor retention of staff in rural settings. These findings should be taken into consideration when developing future strategies to improve job satisfaction among rural outreach health practitioners and to enhance attraction, recruitment and retention and may be applicable to the broader health workforce.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Irteja Islam
- Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Centre for Health Research and Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, The University of Southern Queensland, West Street, Darling Heights, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia
| | - Sharif Bagnulo
- NSW Rural Doctors Network, Suite 1, 53 Cleary Street, Hamilton, Sydney, NSW 2303, Australia
- Australasian College of Health Service Management, 11/41-43 Higginbotham Rd., Gladesville, Sydney, NSW 2111, Australia
| | - Yiwen Wang
- Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Robyn Ramsden
- NSW Rural Doctors Network, Suite 1, 53 Cleary Street, Hamilton, Sydney, NSW 2303, Australia
- School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong, Melbourne, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Trent Wrightson
- NSW Rural Doctors Network, Suite 1, 53 Cleary Street, Hamilton, Sydney, NSW 2303, Australia
| | - Amanda Masset
- NSW Rural Doctors Network, Suite 1, 53 Cleary Street, Hamilton, Sydney, NSW 2303, Australia
| | - Richard Colbran
- NSW Rural Doctors Network, Suite 1, 53 Cleary Street, Hamilton, Sydney, NSW 2303, Australia
| | - Mike Edwards
- NSW Rural Doctors Network, Suite 1, 53 Cleary Street, Hamilton, Sydney, NSW 2303, Australia
| | - Alexandra Martiniuk
- Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Office of the Chief Scientist, The George Institute for Global Health, Level 5/1 King Street, Newtown, Sydney, NSW 2042, Australia
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, The University of Toronto, 155 College Street Room 500, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada
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