Australian Evidence Research Articles

Revisiting cumulative harm: Reflecting on new research insights, legislative developments and coronial evidence as a road map for next steps

In 2018, I penned an analysis of national and international approaches to cumulative harm in a child protection context, published in Children Australia, that identified an evolution acknowledging the impact of all harm to children as detrimental. Through analysis of the available policies informing child protection in Australia, it was clear there was a shift towards a more holistic understanding of harm and the impacts of long-term maltreatment. However, a nationwide, collaborative level of consistent practice that placed cumulative harm and reoccurring maltreatment on an equal footing with episodic maltreatment, particularly in relation to notification and reporting, had not yet been achieved. This begs the question, what has occurred to address this need, this gap, and promote the acknowledgement of cumulative harm since 2018? In this paper, I revisit this important topic, reviewing recent scholarly works, legislative developments across Australian jurisdictions and evidence from a decade of coronial inquests into child deaths that provide powerful messages of guidance on responding to cumulative harm.

Analytical skills for accounting students in a data-driven job market: Australian evidence

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the essential analytical skills required by accounting students to succeed in a rapidly evolving data-driven job market. Specifically, the study explores the role of data analytics, visualisation and software proficiency (e.g. Excel, Power BI) in the contemporary Australian accounting industry. The scope extends to providing recommendations for academia, professional bodies and employers on how accounting education can better align with the dynamic needs of the business environment by integrating these skills into curricula and professional development programmes. Design/methodology/approach Data was collected from Australian job listings incorporating accounting and data analytics tasks from popular job advertisement websites such as Seek, Indeed and Monster. Using the keyword “Data Analyst”, information was gathered on skills demanded, technology proficiency, industry sectors, professional qualifications and salary expectations. The data set comprised 73 observations across various job requirements and characteristics variables. Findings Critical analytical skills sought by accounting professionals in the current job market include extracting insights from big data, solving complex business problems, effective communication and data visualisation. Proficiency in tools like Microsoft Excel, SQL and Power BI is paramount. Originality/value This study enriches the literature by providing comprehensive insights into the contemporary demands for accounting analytics skills. It highlights the importance of integrating technology into accounting education and the varying skill requirements across industries. Additionally, it offers implications for professional qualifications and underscores the necessity for continuous monitoring and adaptation of accounting curricula to meet evolving industry needs.

An Update on Australian Policy around Lamb Marking with Examination of Potential Drivers. Comment on Johnston et al. How Well Does Australian Animal Welfare Policy Reflect Scientific Evidence: A Case Study Approach Based on Lamb Marking. Animals 2023, 13, 1358.

This commentary provides an update and clarification on the legislative landscape surrounding mulesing in Australia since the publication of the 2023 study, "How Well Does Australian Animal Welfare Policy Reflect Scientific Evidence: A Case Study Approach Based on Lamb Marking". The article explores legislative changes mandating the use of pain relief for mulesing in various states, emphasising Victoria's original role, and highlighting the fragmented state-based legislative approach to animal welfare. It discusses the impact of these legislative changes on industry practices and animal welfare outcomes. The commentary highlights the complexities of policy development in this area, due in part to the diverse and often conflicting interests of stakeholders and the public. It underscores the importance of transparency, stakeholder collaboration, and scientifically informed policymaking to effectively enhance animal welfare standards.

Functional somatic symptoms in Emergency Department frequent presenters

BackgroundPatients with Functional Somatic Symptoms (FSS) are frequently encountered within healthcare settings such as Emergency Departments (ED). There is limited research regarding characterisation and frequency of FSS within frequent presenters to ED and no previous Australian evidence. This study aims to fill this gap.MethodsA retrospective, single-centre study of frequent ED presenters over a 6-month period was undertaken. Patients with > 3 re-presentations/month were reviewed for the presence of FSS using Stephenson and Price’s (Stephenson DT, Price JR. Medically unexplained physical symptoms in emergency medicine. Emerg Med J. 2006;23(8):595.) categorisation of FSS. Patients were divided into three groups – FSS, possible FSS (pos-FSS) and non-FSS. The characteristics of these groups were compared using descriptive statistics (chi-square tests, Welch’s ANOVA). Person-time at risk during the 6-month study period was estimated for patients in each group and incidence of ED presentation for each group was then calculated. Psychological distress indicators for ED presenters with FSS, as noted by the treating clinician, were also analysed.Results11% (71/638) of frequent ED presenters were categorised as having FSS and 72% (458/638) as having possible FSS (Pos-FSS). Mean ED presentations in the FSS group during the study period were significantly higher than in the non-FSS and Pos-FSS groups (p < 0.01). Anxiety was found to be the primary psychological distress indicator associated with ED presentations with FSS.ConclusionWe found that, amongst frequent ED presenters, patients with FSS presented significantly more frequently to ED than those without FSS. We propose revising the model of care for FSS in ED to promote appropriate referral to therapy services as a possible demand reduction strategy to improve patient care and efficiency in ED.

Exploring associations of population characteristics and tobacco and vape retailer density and proximity in Australia: a scoping review

ObjectiveThis scoping review synthesises Australian evidence on associations between tobacco and vape retailer density/proximity and various population measures and smoking behaviour to identify research gaps and inform future policy and...

The role of critical care nurses in organ and tissue donation: A position statement of the Australian College of Critical Care Nurses

IntroductionAustralian organ and tissue donation rates are low compared to other countries. Acknowledging that donation practices vary across Australia, the Australian College of Critical Care Nurses supported the development of a position statement to explicate critical care nurses’ role in supporting organ and tissue donation. Several Australian peak professional organisations provide guidance to inform and support organ and tissue donation. AimThe aim of this study was to develop a position statement using contemporary Australian research evidence to build upon and complement existing guidance, focussing on the role of critical care nurses in organ and tissue donation in Australian critical care. MethodAn approach similar to a rapid review was used, providing a streamlined approach to synthesising evidence. A comprehensive search using Medical Subject Headings, keywords, and synonyms was undertaken using Medline and CINAHL Complete via EBSCOhost to identify peer-reviewed Australian research evidence about critical care nurses’ role, obligations, expectations, and scope of practice during organ and tissue donation. Narrative synthesis was used to synthesise the research evidence. FindingsThe importance of separating death from organ donation in discussions with family, the timing and the approach to organ donation conversations, and working in collaboration with the DonateLife Donation Specialist Nurses were identified. The importance of understanding family perspectives, caring for families, and collegial support for critical care clinicians were also identified. With the guidance of peak professional organisations, the research evidence was then used to develop practice recommendations for critical care units, leaders, and critical care nurses. Discussion and conclusionThe recommendations explicate the important contribution critical care nurses can make to ensuring timely, sensitive communication, providing high-quality end-of-life care, supporting families irrespective of the donation decision and supporting colleagues from the wider critical care team, thereby optimising the processes related to organ and tissue donation in Australian critical care settings.

An examination of the characteristics versus covariance debate for contemporary asset‐pricing models: Australian evidence

AbstractAs contemporary asset‐pricing models have expanded to include new factors, the empirical literature has carefully studied the time‐series fit of competing model specifications. In contrast, comparison of the roles played by characteristics and factor loadings in explaining cross‐sectional return variation has received less attention. This paper re‐examines the characteristics versus covariance debate. The findings overwhelmingly support the characteristics explanation. Firm size, book‐to‐market, profitability and investment characteristics are important for understanding differences in returns, over and above how a stock loads on common risk factors. Portfolios designed to be a pure play on a given characteristic generate economically significant trading profits.

Cave beetle lineages gained genes before going down under: An example of repeated genomic exaptation?

The adaptation of animals to subterranean habitats like caves and aquifers stereotypically leads to dramatic trait-loss consequences like the lack of eyes and body pigmentation. These body plan regression trends are expected to be tied to gene loss as well. Indeed, previous studies documented the degeneration of vision genes in obligate cave dwellers. Contradicting this picture, the first broad-scale comparative transcriptome-wide study of gene content evolution in separate subterranean Australian and Mediterranean beetle clades unearthed evidence of global gene gain and retention. This suggests that the transition to cave life may be more contingent on gene repertoire expansion than contraction. Future studies, however, will need to examine how much the observed patterns of gene content evolution reflect subfunctionalization and fitness-securing genetic redundancy outcomes following gene duplication as opposed to adaptive trajectories.

Academic accounting and interdisciplinary research – Australian evidence

PurposeGiven the importance of interdisciplinary research in addressing wicked problems, this paper aims to explore the development of and prospects for interdisciplinary research through evidence gained from academic accountants in Australia.Design/methodology/approachExtant literature is complemented with interviews of accounting academics in Australia to reveal the challenges and opportunities facing interdisciplinary researchers and reimagine prospects for the future.FindingsEvidence indicates that accounting academics hold diverse views toward interdisciplinarity. There is also confusion between multidisciplinarity and interdisciplinarity in the journals in which academic accountants publish. Further, there is mixed messaging among Deans, disciplinary leaders and emerging scholars about the importance of interdisciplinary research to, on the one hand, publish track records and, on the other, secure grants from government and industry. Finally, there are differing perceptions about the disciplines to be encouraged or accepted in the cross-fertilisation of ideas.Originality/valueThis paper is novel in gathering first-hand data about the opportunities, challenges and tensions accounting academics face in collaborating with others in interdisciplinary research. It confirms a discouraging pressure for emerging scholars between the academic research outputs required to publish in journals, prepare reports for industry and secure research funding, with little guidance for how these tensions might be managed.

Director turnover, board monitoring and audit fees: Some Australian evidence

This paper explores the association between director turnover and increased audit fees in Australia. The study, aligned with upper echelon theory, reveals that the characteristics and actions of top management, as reflected in director turnover, impact corporate decisions and risk-taking behavior. Specifically, higher director turnover is linked to elevated audit fees, disrupting the stability of top management's monitoring and advisory functions. The association is more pronounced for external turnover compared to internal turnover. Additionally, firms with robust corporate governance quality exhibit a weakened positive relationship between director turnover and audit fees. Notably, the COVID-19 pandemic further amplifies the director turnover/audit fees connection. The findings suggest that auditors are likely to consider and price in the impact of board instability on internal controls and monitoring/advisory functions.

Analytical Skills for Accounting Students in a Data-Driven Job Market: Australian Evidence

Analytical Skills for Accounting Students in a Data-Driven Job Market: Australian Evidence

Australian board composition and performance: Meta-analysis and implications for governance research

This paper aims to inform the ongoing emphasis on board structure (Yu, 2023) by reconciling the Australian empirical evidence on firm performance-board structure links. While international findings are instructional, differences between governance systems across nations (Alabdullah et al., 2022; Outa &amp; Kutubi, 2021) highlight the importance of understanding the salient nature of the Australian context compared to the UK and US (e.g., fewer listed companies with lower levels of institutional shareholding, higher agency costs and higher compliance to the prescribed governance practices. Meta-analysis was employed to reach an overall Pearson correlation for the association between firm performance and four board composition characteristics (i.e., board independence, CEO duality, board size, and female ratio on boards). The meta-analysis employed includes all empirical studies that used Australian data to investigate firm performance-board structure links. This research also provides guidance on improved theorizing, measurement, and modelling for boards’ research. The results indicate that the correlation between each board’s independence, CEO duality, and financial performance is almost zero. Moreover, board size and female ratio on board have a small positive correlation with financial performance. This paper highlights the importance of considering a specific theory and evidence before employing intermediary variables as controls.

Exploring the use and impact of the Australian living guidelines for the clinical care of people with COVID-19: where to from here?

ObjectivesThe Australian National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce has been developing, maintaining, and disseminating living guidelines and decision support tools (clinical flowcharts) for the care of people with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 since 2020. Living guidelines, a form of living evidence, are a relatively new approach; hence, more work is required to determine how to optimize their use to inform practice, policy, and decision-making and to explore implementation, uptake, and impact implications. An update of an earlier impact evaluation was conducted to understand sustained awareness and use of the guidelines; the factors that facilitate the widespread adoption of the guidelines and to explore the perceived strengths and opportunities for improvement of the guidelines. Study Design and SettingA mixed-methods impact evaluation was conducted. Surveys collected both quantitative and qualitative data and were supplemented with qualitative interviews. Participants included Australian healthcare practitioners providing care to individuals with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and people involved in policy-making. Data were collected on awareness, use, impact, strengths, and opportunities for improvement of the guidelines and flow charts. ResultsA total of 148 participants completed the survey and 21 people were interviewed between January and March 2022. Awareness of the work of the Taskforce was high and more than 75% of participants reported that the guidelines were used within their workplace. Participants described the Taskforce website and guidelines as trustworthy, valuable, and reliable sources of up-to-date evidence-based information. The evaluation highlighted the varied ways the guidelines were being used across a range of settings and the diverse impacts they have from those at a clinical level to impacts at a policy level. Barriers to and enablers of impact and uptake of the guideline were explored. ConclusionThis evaluation highlights the value of living guidelines during a pandemic when the evidence base is rapidly changing and expanding. It presents useful understanding of the ways clinicians and others use living evidence to inform their clinical practice and decision-making and the diverse impacts the guidelines are having around Australia.

Stock market liquidity during crisis periods: Australian evidence

AbstractLiquidity is an important characteristic of financial markets, affecting portfolio decisions and priced risk. During periods of market turmoil, such as occurs during financial crisis, investors have an elevated need for cash and so understanding how liquidity differs during those periods is important. We examine how stock market liquidity was impacted by two crises with distinct origins, the global financial crisis (GFC) and the COVID‐pandemic. Our sample includes the S&amp;P/ASX200 constituents for the period January 2005–December 2020. We find that the Australian stock market is less liquid during both crisis periods; spreads are wider, depth is lower, and price impact is larger (stock prices move a lot in response to small amounts of volume). Although the magnitude of the liquidity change is greater at the onset of COVID, the duration of the impact is longer during the GFC, resulting in a larger average effect. While trading volume declines during the GFC, it increases during COVID. Our results are robust to alternate liquidity proxies, methodologies and crisis period identification, and generally applicable across stock sectors.

An argumentation analysis of testimony about positive behaviour support and chemical restraint in Australia’s Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability

Introduction Australia’s Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (2019–2023) is examining, amongst many issues, how positive behaviour support (PBS) can address challenging behaviour and reduce the use of restrictive practices, particularly chemical restraint. This study explores the basis of the claims made about this during testimony. Materials and methods Applying existing recommendations for the study of Royal Commissions, this study uses argumentation analysis of testimony. Results Three central claims about PBS were identified: practitioners, behaviour support plans, and chemical restraint. Comparison with Australian research shows preparation of behaviour support practitioners is poor, behaviour support plans do not show a clear benefit to people with disability, and chemical restraint remains a persisting issue with no viable way forward. Discussion The analysis highlights the difference between perceptions of PBS and the current Australian evidence underlying it. The barriers to the promotion of PBS to address restrictive practices in Australian disability services prompts reconsideration of the policy expansion to address restrictive practices in other sectors.

Thirsty? Choose Water! A regional perspective to promoting water consumption in secondary school students.

Adolescents are high consumers of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), which contribute to overweight and obesity - a significant public health issue. Evidence suggests that replacing SSB with water and school-based interventions can reduce consumption. This study examines the acceptability of a previously trialled intervention (Thirsty? Choose Water!) in regional and remote secondary schools. An open-label randomised controlled trial using a two-by-two factorial design tested the outcomes of a behavioural and/or environmental intervention on SSB and water consumption. Regional and remote secondary schools (public, catholic and independent) within the boundaries of two regional Local Health Districts within New South Wales. Twenty-four schools participated in the study. The target group was year 7 students (n 1640) - 72 % of eligible students completed baseline data. The study followed students into year 8 (n 1188) - 52 % of eligible students completed post-intervention data. Forty teachers undertook training to deliver the intervention. Interventions showed high levels of acceptability. Students demonstrated changes in knowledge, attitudes and consumption behaviours. Multivariable ordinal logression analysis demonstrated that all interventions increased the odds of students increasing their water consumption (though not statistically significant). Conversely, the combined (OR: 0·75; 95 % CI: 0·59, 0·97) or environmental intervention (OR: 0·68; 95 % CI: 0·51, 0·90) had greater odds of reducing SSB consumption and was statistically significant. This study builds on recent Australian evidence regarding the impact of school-based interventions on water and SSB consumption. In this study, despite a minor intervention change, and the impacts of fires, floods and COVID-19 on study implementation, the interventions were highly regarded by the school communities with positive outcomes.

A retrospective evaluation of a multidisciplinary management strategy implemented to optimize outpatient care, hospitalization rates and clinical outcomes in a single-centre cohort of COVID-19-positive pregnant women in Australia during the Omicron BA.1 surge

Abstract Background During the Omicron BA.1 surge between 12 January and 18 February 2022, 189 COVID-19-positive pregnant women were managed by the Peninsula Health Positive Pathways program, in the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia. A multidisciplinary specialist team was rapidly assembled to work in conjunction with the Pathways COVID-19 physicians and monitoring team, to optimize patient care. Objective The aim is to describe the processes utilized to care for the pregnancy cohort from the time of enrolment to the COVID Monitor until recovery including outpatient monitoring, treatment strategies, hospital review criteria, and clinical outcomes including rate of hospitalization, oxygen requirements, and maternal and foetal outcomes during the study period. Method Outpatients were monitored daily by the Pathways program, while COVID-19 physicians and obstetricians conducted early telehealth review of patients after diagnosis. Members of the multidisciplinary team met on a virtual platform twice daily, and institution-specific treatment guidelines and hospital review criteria were established. Enoxaparin prophylaxis was delivered to the homes of selected patients, and inhaled budesonide was utilized for patients who did not require oxygen, who were immunocompromised, and who had significant respiratory symptoms or risk factors for deterioration. Sotrovimab was offered to women as per the existing Australian National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce eligibility criteria. A service evaluation was undertaken adopting a retrospective cohort approach. Results There was minimal maternal morbidity and no mortality with 24/189 (12.7%) women requiring hospitalization, 18/189 (9.5%) requiring same-day emergency department presentations only, and 4/189 (2.1%) requiring oxygen, with no requirement for non-invasive ventilation or intensive care unit admission. Sixteen patients delivered live newborns during the study period, and there were two pregnancy losses at 7 and 19 weeks gestation, respectively, in patients with prior pregnancy complications. Conclusion A multidisciplinary approach involving virtual communication twice daily between treating specialist physicians may be a broadly applicable model to optimize care of pregnant women with COVID-19.

Artificial Intelligence Authoring Financial Recommendations: Comparative Australian Evidence

Abstract This article explores the use of artificial intelligence software to create financial recommendations. It seeks to define the impacts and outline the benefits of using ChatGPT software in the highly regulated Australian financial sector. ChatGPT was asked to create a financial recommendation, which was evaluated against the relevant regulations and the recommendations of existing professionals and market contributors. The data generated was analysed using Qualtrics analysis techniques. The findings suggest that ChatGPT significantly reduces the time required to carry out creation, input, and editing services for simple financial advice recommendations. However, ChatGPT fails to operate effectively with complex financial advice and requires professional guidance to ensure regulatory adherence. In future, it may be possible to develop ChatGPT as a complementary tool to decrease the time and cost required to create financial recommendations.

How Well Does Australian Animal Welfare Policy Reflect Scientific Evidence: A Case Study Approach Based on Lamb Marking.

The development and substance of animal welfare policy is subject to a range of social, cultural, economic, and scientific influences that commonly vary within and between countries. Discrepancies in policy can create confusion and mistrust among stakeholders and consumers and limit the ability to create a uniform minimum level of requirements to safeguard animal welfare, as well as create a level 'playing field' for farmers when trading with other jurisdictions. The livestock sector is receiving growing scrutiny globally for real and perceived violations of animal welfare, for example, the practice of mulesing in Australia. This article explores animal welfare legislation within Australia and how it reflects the scientific evidence surrounding routine husbandry practices in sheep, including tail docking, castration, and mulesing. While there is some variation between state and territory legislation, the most notable concern is the lack of enforceable recommendations surrounding the evidence-based use of analgesia and anaesthesia for painful husbandry procedures. The age at which these procedures are recommended to be performed is relatively consistent across Australian jurisdictions, but there is a marked difference compared to international legislation. The global context of animal welfare legislation, public perception, and producer perception of these procedures are also discussed, highlighting the difficulty of creating robust animal welfare legislation that promotes a good standard of welfare that is respected worldwide whilst being practical in an Australian setting given our unique geography and climatic conditions.

Trade links and return predictability: The Australian evidence

Trade links and return predictability: The Australian evidence