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Despite the popularity of the flipped classroom, its effectiveness in achieving greater engagement and learning outcomes is currently lacking substantial empirical evidence. This study surveyed 563 undergraduate and postgraduate students (61 % female) participating in flipped teaching environments and ten convenors of the flipped courses in which the student sample was enrolled. Results suggest that higher education students can be differentiated based on their preferences for elements of a flipped classroom, resulting in two clusters of students: those who embrace most aspects of a flipped classroom environment as well as prefer it (labelled \"Flip endorsers\") and those who are close to neutral on some elements of a flipped classroom environment but who especially do not endorse the pre-learning aspects (labelled \"Flip resisters\"). Flip endorsers were found to have more positive attitudes towards the course activities (both pre-class and in-class) and to have felt more involved and engaged in the content. These findings shed some light on the types of students who might prefer flipped classrooms, but more importantly identify those who are likely to resist a change to a flipped classroom environment. The findings also suggest that although students may find the flipped classroom more difficult, student outcomes and active participation in class activities do improve when course convenors (a) use a theoretical perspective to inform their flipped teaching strategy, (b) integrate assessment into the design of their flipped classroom, and (c) flip the entire course. (HRK / Abstract übernommen).

Introduction: Despite being one of the most avoided topics of all time, death is a guaranteed eventuality for us all. However, quality psychosocial care as death approaches is not a guarantee. Where people reside is likely to impact a person's accessibility to quality psychological, emotional, social, spiritual and cultural support. Structural forces such as funding and resourcing will also be a contributing factor. Social workers have specific expertise in the psychosocial domain, yet enablers and inhibitors to social work referrals to support terminally ill clients in rural and remote communities have not been well explored. This study had two primary aims: to investigate the provision of psychosocial care for palliative clients in rural Australian communities and to identify barriers and facilitators of social work referrals to address psychosocial concerns for palliative care clients. Methods: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 38 rural participants across 24 rural and remote communities in the state of Queensland, Australia. The researcher travelled 7500 km to conduct these interviews over a 5-week period. The Rural, Remote, Metropolitan Areas classifications provided guidance on determining which communities would be considered regional, rural or remote communities. To explore the aims of the study, four participant groups were selected to participate in semi-structured qualitative interviews: group 1, social workers; group 2, community health nurses; group 3, community workers; and group 4, palliative clients/carers. For a comprehensive analysis, it was important to not only hear the views of those addressing psychosocial needs, but also include the voices of those receiving psychosocial care, resulting in all perspectives being captured. A thematic analysis was utilised, from which prominent, recurring themes were identified to form the basis for recommendations for future psychosocial care provision. Results: Findings revealed that psychosocial needs for terminally ill clients were addressed in an ad-hoc, inconsistent manner across rural and remote Queensland. Eligibility and access for palliative care program funding impacted service delivery and what support could be provided. Furthermore, social workers were limited in what they could offer due to the vast geographical distances, which inhibited quality face-to-face interventions and the capacity to address urgent psychosocial concerns. This resulted in community nurses assuming the role that social workers would usually undertake in more urban settings. In communities where a generalist social worker was employed, referrals were often impacted by the perceptions of other professionals of social work competencies. Finally, the results highlighted that a disparity exists between the perspectives of palliative care clients and their caregivers and understanding of healthcare professionals of what were identified as important psychosocial concerns. Conclusions: Palliative care funding in Queensland is insufficient to effectively address the existing demand. Resourcing for rural and remote palliative care in Queensland is inadequate to ensure holistic and quality approaches to psychosocial care in the end stages of life. Increased resourcing would result in better care, for longer time frames throughout a disease trajectory. Education and training for health practitioners to address skills and competencies in psychosocial care for terminally ill clients is a recommendation for professional development. Furthermore, there is a need for social work to develop national standards and competencies to enhance practitioner confidence to efficiently address psychosocial concerns for terminally ill clients. Whilst this study was undertaken in Queensland, Australia, the findings are echoed in other international rural communities.

This article draws on and contributes to the body of knowledge on the development of cultural competence and study abroad experiences. The study program has been well established for several years and blends a 12-day intercultural immersion experience with preparatory classroom teaching and relevant assessment. This study builds on an earlier evaluation, adopting a robust qualitative approach. The study confirms that such experiences can significantly contribute to transformation in students' capacity to challenge superficial cultural stereotypes and critically engage in the interplay among disadvantage, contextual factors, and sociopolitical structures. Developing critical reflection skills is an integral component in promoting transformation.

Abstract This article examines the potential for digital storytelling in students’ local environments to produce transformative, anti-colonial learning. Using a process of mindful, embodied and emplaced observation, social work and human services students at one Australian university were asked to create a digital story about the visibility and valuing of First Nations’ peoples, culture and country in their local area. This article reports on a mixed-methods research evaluation of transformative learning outcomes from that assessment. It details the Indigenist and intercultural conceptual framework that underpinned the assessment and research evaluation. This article provides resources, findings and insights that can assist social work educators and professionals to adapt the digital storytelling process for their own contexts.

Objective. The aim of this article is to describe the development of a novel evidence-based model of early intervention vocational rehabilitation (EIVR) for people with spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods. An extensive literature review and background study guided the collaboration of experienced practitioners and researchers in developing and evaluating the innovative Back2Work model of EIVR for people with SCI in Queensland, Australia. The program is undergoing longitudinal mixed-methods evaluation to the end of 2023. Results. The model is central to the successful implementation of the EIVR program, delivered by rehabilitation counsellors in the Queensland Spinal Injuries Unit. Back2Work includes a strong focus on maintaining and nurturing the pre-injury occupational bond between injured workers and employers, and aims to create a positive expectation for return to work (RTW) and increase the rate and timeliness of RTW after SCI. Conclusions. The Back2Work program has become an integrated component of the multidisciplinary rehabilitation team, with positive early results in RTW outcomes and additional benefits in participants sense of well-being and hope. What is known about the topic? Vocational intervention after SCI has traditionally been delivered after hospital discharge and considered outside the scope of early intervention approaches. Emerging evidence suggests EIVR, commencing before hospital discharge, can encourage hope and a positive expectancy for employment after SCI, and is showing promising outcomes in supporting peoples quality of life and vocational goals. What does this paper add? This article details the process and product of developing and evaluating a novel EIVR model for people with SCI. The model underpins the Back2Work EIVR program being trialled in the Queensland Spinal Injuries Unit, an example of this emerging field of practice within the primary rehabilitation setting. What are the implications for practitioners? The Back2Work program is based on an innovative and evidence-based model of EIVR for people with SCI. The collaborative and empirically driven process of developing, implementing and evaluating the model will be of interest to researchers and practitioners looking to advance practices in vocational rehabilitation after serious injury.

Study designDescriptive, qualitative study.ObjectivesTo explore the perspectives of health professionals (HPs) regarding the role of spirituality in spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation.SettingSingle centre rehabilitation hospital, NSW, Australia.MethodsTwo focus groups (n = 12) were conducted with HPs (e.g., nursing, allied health, medical) working in SCI inpatient rehabilitation. A semi-structured interview was employed, consisting of questions about spirituality and its role in SCI rehabilitation. The groups were audio recorded and transcribed. An inductive thematic analysis was conducted.ResultsSix themes were identified from the focus group data: (i) the meaning of spirituality; (ii) spirituality as a help; (iii) spirituality as a hindrance; (iv) how spirituality is indirectly addressed in practice; (v) perceived barriers to incorporating spirituality into practice; (vi) how spirituality can be better integrated into practice. HPs recognised that spirituality played an important role in the adjustment of many individuals and their families after SCI. However, spirituality was not proactively addressed during SCI rehabilitation, and most often arose during informal interactions with clients. Spirituality, and specifically religious belief, was perceived to sometimes raise difficulties for clients and staff. The use of physical space and a review of rehabilitation processes were suggested by HPs as two ways spirituality could be better incorporated into practice.ConclusionsThe findings of this study reveal that spiritual needs of clients and their family members during SCI rehabilitation are important and could be better addressed. A range of initiatives are proposed, including staff training and the use of standardised spiritual assessment tools.

Introduction: The design was a narrative review. The objective of the study was to investigate the potential for early vocational rehabilitation (VR) interventions for people with spinal cord injury (SCI) in overcoming barriers in returning to work, and to pinpoint factors contributing to effectiveness in early VR intervention for this population. The setting was at Queensland, Australia. Materials and methods: Synthesis of the findings of a literature search of online databases ProQuest and CINAHL, using keywords relating to the employment situation and VR of people with SCI. Themes were identified and analysed in accordance with the research objectives. Results: Despite increasing government commitment to the workforce and social participation of people with disabilities, Australians living with SCI have significantly diminished employment outcomes compared with the general population. Current VR approaches usually do not commence until some months post discharge, potentially missing a window of opportunity to preserve pre-existing employment or assist in vocational decision making. The review found that there are opportunities for enhancing VR service provision following SCI, namely integrating the VR programme within the primary rehabilitation team thus facilitating early VR intervention. Discussion: Emerging evidence shows promising results for early intervention in VR; however, questions remain regarding ideal intervention approaches, and it is clear that further empirical investigation is required to support the use of early intervention models post SCI. The study was sponsored by Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC).

Introduction: The study was a prospective, longitudinal design. The purpose was to explore the role of hope in the coping and psychosocial adjustment process following a spinal cord injury. The study was conducted at Spinal cord injury rehabilitation units in Queensland, Australia and Christchurch, New Zealand. Materials and methods: This was a longitudinal study conducted in two SCI rehabilitation centres, one in Australia and one in New Zealand. A total of 47 participants with newly acquired traumatic SCI were administered a survey consisting of the Adult Hope Scale; the Moorong Self-Efficacy Scale; the Centre for Epidemiology Studies—Depression Scale (CES-D); Life Satisfaction, Self-Rated Adjustment and Life Problems Subscales of the Life Situation Questionnaire and selected subscales from the Spinal Cord Lesion-related Coping Strategies Questionnaire (SCL-CSQ) and the COPE scales at 6 weeks post injury and 3 months post discharge. Results: Hope levels and coping strategies remained consistent over time. Hope levels significantly and positively correlated with life satisfaction and self-reported adjustment, and negatively correlated with life problems. Hope levels also positively correlated with positive coping styles, including positive reappraisal, planning, acceptance and fighting spirit. Finally, hope levels negatively correlated with the negative coping strategies behavioural disengagement and social reliance. Discussion: Hope and coping styles are likely to be determined by personality traits. The findings suggest that hope enhancing interventions should be explored as a means of improving outcomes for people with SCI.

This article will explore the impact and learning outcomes of a short term study tour of a cohort of Australian social work students. Of particular interest was the impact of the programme on the students and specifically knowledge of international practice, cultural sensitivity as well as personal and professional growth. A qualitative approach was adopted to provide insights into the perceived impact of the programme and its contribution to the preparation of social work students to work in an increasingly globalised world. Indications are that it was effective in enhancing cultural sensitivity, understanding of structural factors contributing to inequity, the practical experience of poverty, personal growth and professional identity. For students, it was a valued and transformational learning experience. The 'real life' experiential learning was highly valued by students.