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The purpose of this paper is to explore truck drivers’ views toward diet, physical activity, and health care access to inform the development of a weight loss intervention.

The authors conducted four focus groups via teleconference (one) or in person (three). Each focus group included eight to ten truck drivers. Sessions were digitally recorded and transcribed. The authors used thematic analysis of the participant responses to develop themes and subthemes.

Truck drivers desired good health, however, many knowledge gaps were identified. Drivers were aware of some healthy foods, but lacked knowledge of appropriate energy intake and healthy weight. Drivers expressed many barriers to eating healthy food and engaging in physical activity on the road. Participants suggested strategies and resources to improve their diet and increase physical activity.

This qualitative study included a convenience sample of 30 long-haul truck drivers. Consensus of themes and subthemes was achieved by four sessions. Issues facing long-haul truck drivers may be different than other truck drivers. Additional qualitative research should be conducted along with interventions focussed on healthy behaviors that can be implemented in the mobile working environment.

This is the first focus group study of truck drivers that targets eating and physical activity. Future weight loss intervention designs should address the lack of knowledge and skills. To succeed, interventions should implement strategies to address perceived barriers: access, time limitations, and high cost of healthy lifestyle habits.

Investigates the results of research into attitudes towards shopping centre refurbishment. Considers the historical background of retail development and the motivation and requirements for refurbishment. Concludes that development is likely to proceed in two ways: centres with simpler, more durable design; and a return to the department store format.

This study examined effectiveness of an integrated care program on emergency department visits within a longitudinal sample of patients with both primary care and behavioral health diagnoses.

Patients with co-occurring disorders enrolled in an integrated care clinic and were followed over time to determine whether participation in the clinic, including engagement in wellness/peer services, predicted decreases in Emergency Department (ED) use. Associations between socio-demographic characteristics of patients and ED use were also analyzed.

After 6 months, clinic patients had decreases in ED use that continued for twelve months, albeit to a lesser degree. Demographics and program services were not related to ED use; however, multiple associations existed between high ED utilizers, severe mental illness (SMI), substance use disorders (SUD) and non-retention in services.

The study lacked a comparison group and there was no distinction between avoidable and unavoidable ED visits. A small sample size across time points led to inconclusive post hoc findings.

This study explored effectiveness of primary care integration into a behavioral health clinic for persons with multiple morbidities. Although initial decreases in ED visits were present, results indicate that these models may not be effective for persons with SMI or SMI/SUD who are already high ED users. This study provides support for integrated care in reducing ED use among persons with multiple morbidities and calls for further research on designing effective integrated models for persons with SMI and SUD.

The rail driver workplace is full of challenges for effective health management. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how known barriers in rail driving may be overcome by seeking enablers of positive health status and lifestyle.

Five focus groups were conducted with 29 rail drivers from four rail organisations across three Australian states. Transcribed data were analysed using directed content analysis and thematic coding to develop health enabler themes and categories.

Formal initiatives to manage health were piecemeal. Efforts to maintain health involved countering deteriorative, and promoting restorative, health factors. Themes systematically illustrated work environmental, adaptational, and autonomous features of health management. Participants expressed many different approaches to enabling positive health status, and how these connected to known barriers.

Discussion of personal health issues within the rail industry is considered a taboo topic by some, therefore participants who took part in this study data may be more representative of health-conscious drivers.

Occupational health in rail can be enabled in multiple ways, including: improving social support, scheduling certainty, and cross-communication around health behaviours; increasing flexibility and environmental support for health behaviours; and directly promoting dietary control and physical activity engagement. Given the diversity and global representativeness of rail systems found within Australia, the findings have international application.

This study uses a strength-focussed approach to highlight multiple leverage points for organisational rail-driver health interventions across three levels of the system, helping improve health intervention efficacy despite the intractable nature of their environments.