The Reliability and Validity of the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales: Validation in Relation to Patient Derived Measures

2000 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 504-511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Brooks
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Interrater Reliability ◽  
New South ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
The Third ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Before And After

Objective: The Health of Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) was developed to assess mental health outcomes. The aim of the studies is to examine the psychometric properties, reliability and validity of the HoNOS. Method: Three studies were conducted within St John of God Hospitals in New South Wales, Australia. They examined the reliability and the validity of the HoNOS. The first study examined the interrater reliability of the HoNOS, before and after staff training in the use of the HoNOS. The second study examined the validity of the HoNOS with the Symptom Checklist 90 Revised (SCL90-R) and the third study examined the validity of the HoNOS with the Short-Form 36 (SF-36). Results: The first study showed an improvement in the interrater reliability (IRR) of the HoNOS due to training. However, a generally unsatisfactory IRR (range 0.50–0.65) was achieved. The second study found no correlation between the SCL90-R and the HoNOS on admission (r = 0.04) and discharge (r = 0.06). The third study found no significant correlation between the Mental Component Score of the SF-36 and the HoNOS on admission (r = −0.033) nor on discharge (r = −0.104). Conclusions: The HoNOS has at best moderate interrater reliabilities. Further, the validity of the HoNOS is under question, that is, it does not correlate with a major measure of mental health symptoms, nor with a major measure of health status. As such, it is concluded that the psychometric properties of the HoNOS do not warrant its use as a routine measure.

scholarly journals Translation, Cultural Adaptation, and Psychometric Properties of the Life Satisfaction Index for the Third Age—Short Form (LSITA-SF12) for Use among Ethiopian Elders

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 981-996
Author(s):  
Habtamu Sewunet Mekonnen ◽  
Helena Lindgren ◽  
Biftu Geda ◽  
Telake Azale ◽  
Kerstin Erlandsson
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Health Assessment ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Third Age ◽  
Language Version ◽  
Satisfaction Index ◽  
The Third ◽  
Life Satisfaction Index

(1) Background: Self-reported measures play a crucial role in research, clinical practice, and health assessment. Instruments used to assess life satisfaction need validation to ensure that they measure what they are intended to detect true variations over time. An adapted instrument measuring life satisfaction for use among Ethiopian elders was lacking; therefore, this study aimed to culturally adapt and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Life Satisfaction Index for the Third Age—Short Form (LSITA-SF12) in Ethiopia. (2) Methods: Elderly people (n = 130) in Metropolitan cities of northwestern Ethiopia answered the LSITA-SF12 in the Amharic language. Selected reliability and validity tests were examined. (3) Result: The scale had an acceptable limit of content validity index, internal consistency, test-retest, inter-rater reliabilities, and concurrent and discriminant validities. (4) Conclusion: The Amharic language version of LSITA-SF12 appeared to be valid and reliable measures and can be recommended for use in research and clinical purposes among Amharic-speaking Ethiopian elders.

scholarly journals Fit for duty: The health status of New South Wales Paramedics

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex James MacQuarrie ◽  
Caroline Robertson ◽  
Peter Micalos ◽  
James Crane ◽  
Richard High ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Status ◽  
General Population ◽  
New South ◽  
Short Form ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Poor Health ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Sf 36

<p><strong><em>Introduction</em></strong></p><p>Paramedics are mobile health care workers who respond to trauma and medical emergencies. Worldwide, paramedics exhibit disturbingly high rates of injury and illness with increased markers of poor health, such as obesity and hypertension, being common. The primary aim of this study was to explore the self-reported health status of paramedics in New South Wales, Australia, by gender and geographic rostering pattern and to compare it with that of the Australian general population. A secondary aim was to examine paramedics’ attitudes towards exercise.</p><p><strong><em>Methods</em></strong></p><p>In 2015, paramedics employed by NSW Ambulance were invited to complete a web-based survey which composed of the Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form 36 (SF-36), and measures of attitudes towards exercise. Demographic information and participants’ height and weight (for calculating Body Mass Index (BMI)) were also collected. Normative comparator data for the Australian general population (BMI and SF-36 scores) were sourced from the Household Income Labour Dynamics in Australia 2015 survey.</p><p><strong><em>Results</em></strong></p><p>Of the approximately 3,300 paramedics invited to participate, 747 completed the survey (507 male, 240 female).  Mean age and mean years of service were 41.5 ±9.5 (SD) and 13.6 ±9.0 respectively. There were no differences in SF-36 scores except for the Vitality domain where males scored higher than females (p&lt;0.001), and regional paramedics had a higher General Health domain score than metropolitan paramedics (p&lt;0.05). Regional male paramedics had higher BMIs than their metropolitan counterparts (28.04 kg/m<sup>2</sup> ± 3.99 vs. 26.81 kg/m<sup>2</sup> ± 4.67, p = 0.001). Compared to the Australian population, paramedics scored higher in the Physical Function domain (p&lt;0.001) but lower in summary scores for mental and physical health (p&lt;0.001). Paramedics’ BMIs were slightly higher than the general population (27.10 ± 4.30 kg/m<sup>2 </sup>vs.26.47 ±5.42, p&lt;0.001). Paramedics reported lack of time, family, lack of motivation and in regional postings: distance to fitness facilities and shift patterns as barriers to exercise.</p><p><strong><em>Conclusions</em></strong></p><p>Paramedics scored lower on the SF-36 than the general population, which can indicate a lower health-related quality of life.  High BMI and low SF-36 scores may be related to a perceived inability to engage in regular exercise and the effects of shift work, especially in regional areas. Increasing BMI can be associated with the development of markers of poor health. Attention is needed to ensure that these essential health care providers are “fit for duty”.  This survey should be repeated longitudinally to examine trends in the health status of paramedics. Nationally and internationally, ambulance management can and should foster innovative health promotion programs and paramedics themselves need to recognise and value good health.</p>

scholarly journals The Study on Stress, Spirituality, and Health (SSSH): Psychometric Evaluation and Initial Validation of the SSSH Baseline Spirituality Survey

Religions ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 150
Author(s):  
Erica T. Warner ◽  
Blake Victor Kent ◽  
Ying Zhang ◽  
M. Austin Argentieri ◽  
Wade C. Rowatt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Predictive Validity ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Psychometric Testing ◽  
Psychometric Evaluation ◽  
Ethnically Diverse ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Spirituality And Health ◽  
Wide Range

This paper describes the development and initial psychometric testing of the baseline Spirituality Survey (SS-1) from the Study on Stress, Spirituality, and Health (SSSH). The SS-1 contains a mixture of items selected from validated existing scales and new items generated to measure important constructs not captured by existing instruments, and our purpose here was to establish the validity of new and existing measures in a racially/ethnically diverse sample. Psychometric properties of the SS-1 were evaluated using standard psychometric analyses in 4563 SSSH participants. Predictive validity of SS-1 scales was assessed in relation to the physical and mental health component scores from the Short-Form 12 Health Survey (SF-12). Scales exhibited adequate to strong psychometric properties and demonstrated construct and predictive validity. Overall, the correlational findings provided solid evidence that the SS-1 scales are associated with a wide range of relevant R/S attitudes, mental health, and to a lesser degree physical health.

Commentary on the harm reduction reference group of justice health and forensic mental health network and corrective services NSW, Australia

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Anne Silano ◽  
Carla Treloar ◽  
Thomas Wright ◽  
Tracey Brown ◽  
Colette McGrath ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Reference Group ◽  
New South ◽  
Forensic Mental Health ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Health Network ◽  
South Wales

Purpose This commentary aims to reveal how a steering committee has effectively responded to advancing accessibility to harm reduction resources, hepatitis C virus (HCV) policy and health strategies within adult prison settings in New South Wales (NSW). Design/methodology/approach By reviewing the audit approach taken by the of the Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network and Corrective Services New South Wales Harm Reduction Reference Group (JHFMHN/CSNSW HRRG), this commentary emphasizes the committee’s success in identifying contemporary harm reduction issues that affect people in custodial settings. This commentary is a compilation of data gathered through the 2018 JHFMHN/CSNSW HRRG audit and corresponding program materials. Conclusions regarding the effectiveness of the working group’s audit were drawn by critically appraising the JHFMHN/CSNSW HRRG’s Final Audit Report (JHFMHN and CSNSW, 2018) with reference to current harm reduction literature. Findings The HRRG has provided leadership, professional representation and strategic advice on the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of best practice harm reduction strategies in prison settings. The HRRG developed and maintained networks and information exchange between the state-wide HCV health network, corrections services and the NSW harm reduction sector at large. Public health partnerships and advocacy that involve all key players, such as the HRRG, will continue to be crucial to remove barriers to enhancing HCV harm reduction measures especially in NSW prison settings. Social implications Strategies such as primary prevention and treatment can mitigate the spread of HCV in the custodial system. This audit of access to harm reduction resources was conducted on behalf of the diverse group of professionals, scholars and stakeholders comprising the HRRG. This audit and other advocacy efforts of this committee can facilitate future access to quality healthcare and the necessary policies required to support a healthier prison population at large. Originality/value Collaborating with health authorities, researchers and social service workers can enable prison health-care systems to be guided by wider health workforce programs and public health standards. This collaboration can reduce the professional isolation of custodial health-care staff and promote a balanced approach to harm reduction policies by ensuring an equitable focus on both health and security imperatives.

Mental health data: A case for the African communities in New South Wales

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-80
Author(s):  
Daniel Kwai Apat ◽  
Wellington Digwa
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Health Services ◽  
New South ◽  
Mental Health Policy ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Community Members ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Health Related

This paper examines mental health policies in relation to African communities residing in New South Wales, Australia and the attitudes of African communities toward mental disorders and mental health services. Current mental health policy frameworks have shown an inadequate inclusion of African communities. This may negatively affect the design of mental health interventions and how African communities engage with mental health services. The available mental health literature on African communities showed disjointed and uncoordinated data which focuses on specific community-groups within African communities. Insufficient mental health or suicide data, combined with African community members’ perception toward mental disorders and mental health services, makes it very difficult to progress engagement and interventions. There is a need for proper and sizable data on mental health related to people of African descent in NSW and Australia wide, if positive outcomes are to be realised.

The health service contact patterns of people with psychotic and non-psychotic forms of severe mental illness in New South Wales, Australia: A record-linkage study

2021 ◽  
pp. 000486742110314
Author(s):  
Rachael C Cvejic ◽  
Preeyaporn Srasuebkul ◽  
Adrian R Walker ◽  
Simone Reppermund ◽  
Julia M Lappin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Severe Mental Illness ◽  
New South ◽  
Service Utilisation ◽  
South Wales

Objective: To describe and compare the health profiles and health service use of people hospitalised with severe mental illness, with and without psychotic symptoms. Methods: We conducted a historical cohort study using linked administrative datasets, including data on public hospital admissions, emergency department presentations and ambulatory mental health service contacts in New South Wales, Australia. The study cohort comprised 169,306 individuals aged 12 years and over who were hospitalised at least once with a mental health diagnosis between 1 July 2002 and 31 December 2014. Of these, 63,110 had a recorded psychotic illness and 106,196 did not. Outcome measures were rates of hospital, emergency department and mental health ambulatory service utilisation, analysed using Poisson regression. Results: People with psychotic illnesses had higher rates of hospital admission (adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.26; 95% confidence interval [1.23, 1.30]), emergency department presentation (adjusted IRR 1.17; 95% confidence interval [1.13, 1.20]) and ambulatory mental health treatment days (adjusted IRR 2.90; 95% confidence interval [2.82, 2.98]) than people without psychotic illnesses. The higher rate of hospitalisation among people with psychotic illnesses was driven by mental health admissions; while people with psychosis had over twice the rate of mental health admissions, people with other severe mental illnesses without psychosis (e.g. mood/affective, anxiety and personality disorders) had higher rates of physical health admissions, including for circulatory, musculoskeletal, genitourinary and respiratory disorders. Factors that predicted greater health service utilisation included psychosis, intellectual disability, greater medical comorbidity and previous hospitalisation. Conclusion: Findings from this study support the need for (a) the development of processes to support the physical health of people with severe mental illness, including those without psychosis; (b) a focus in mental health policy and service provision on people with complex support needs, and (c) improved implementation and testing of integrated models of care to improve health outcomes for all people experiencing severe mental illness.

scholarly journals Involuntary community treatment in New South Wales, Australia

1995 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Hambridge ◽  
Nicola Watt
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mentally Ill ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Community Treatment ◽  
Compulsory Treatment ◽  
Perceived Benefits ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Mental Health Legislation ◽  
Health Legislation

The New South Wales Mental Health Act (1990) heralded a number of important changes to mental health legislation in the state. One of these was the option to give compulsory treatment to mentally ill clients living in the community. This article briefly explains community treatment under the Act, and the perceived benefits and the limitations of such legislation. A case example is used to illustrate some of these points. Involuntary community treatment is seen as a less restrictive alternative to hospitalisation for a number of mentally ill clients, but the use of such provisions demands significant resources from the supervising agency.

scholarly journals The association between pain catastrophizing, physical function and pain in a cohort of patients undergoing knee arthroplasty

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Birch ◽  
Maiken Stilling ◽  
Inger Mechlenburg ◽  
Torben Bæk Hansen
Keyword(s):  
Physical Function ◽  
Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
General Health ◽  
Pain Catastrophizing ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Oxford Knee Score ◽  
Preoperative Pain ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Before And After ◽  
One Year

Abstract Background Pain catastrophizing contributes to acute and long-term pain after knee arthroplasty (KA), but the association between pain catastrophizing and physical function is not clear. We examined the association between preoperative pain catastrophizing and physical function one year after surgery, as well as differences in physical function, pain and general health in two groups of patients with high and low preoperative pain catastrophizing score. Methods We included 615 patients scheduled for KA between March 2011 and December 2013. Patients completed The Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) prior to surgery. The Oxford Knee Score (OKS), Short Form-36 (SF-36) and the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) were completed prior to surgery, and 4 and 12 months after the surgery. Results Of the 615 patients, 442 underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and 173 unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). Mean age was 67.3 (SD: 9.7) and 53.2% were females. Patients with PCS > 21 had statistically significantly larger improvement in mean OKS for both TKA and UKA than patients with PCS < 11; 3.2 (95% CI: 1.0, 5.4) and 5.4 (95% CI: 2.2, 8.6), respectively. Furthermore, patients with preoperative PCS > 21 had statistically significantly lower OKS, SF-36 and EQ-5D and higher pain score than patients with PCS < 11 both preoperatively and 4 and 12 months postoperatively. Conclusions Patients with high levels of preoperative pain catastrophizing have lower physical function, more pain and poorer general health both before and after KA than patients without elevated pain catastrophizing.

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