FACULTY OF HEALTH DISCIPLINES

News Brief celebrates the many achievements of alumni, students and faculty from the Faculty of Health Disciplines. Share your story! Please send a note to fhdnews@athabascau.ca.

Offering key insights into the transgender communityMateo Huezo (Master of Counselling ’18) has been active in Edmonton’s transgender community for more than a decade. His collaborative, innovative thesis project offers insights that have the potential to dramatically improve the lives of that community’s most vulnerable.

A short dive into addictionThe world of addiction medicine is a complex one where providers typically treat a chronic relapsing disease without addressing underlying issues beyond choice and willpower. Alumna Hannah McKay (Master of Nursing: Nurse Practitioner ’13) shares her story about working in this challenging world.

Touch a quilt, touch a memoryOn a wintry day, there’s nothing better than staying warm and toasty under a quilt. But could there be more to a quilt’s magic? A recent study shows that ‘touch quilts’ could be a simple, effective and profoundly personal way to ease anguish and improve the quality of lives.

Following a dream means going for goldLisa Gray (Master of Counselling ’18) always knew she wanted to help people. She didn’t realize how big that dream would become, nor how much she could achieve, until she enrolled at AU. She’s the third Faculty of Health Disciplines grad in as many years to receive AU’s top academic prize.

Building business, impact on an MHS foundationLisa Little (Master of Health Studies ’06) is making a meaningful contribution to health care, generally, and the nursing profession, specifically, by using all she learned in her MHS to serve a diverse group of clients across the country.

Sitting is NOT the new smokingIt’s time to ignore the alarmist headlines screaming that sitting is as bad for your health as smoking. It’s true that too much sitting isn’t good for you, but is it really as bad as smoking? Dr. Jeff Vallance led a team of researchers looking into it. The answer? Smoking remains in a class by itself.

Fighting for happinessMixed martial arts and nursing might seem to be worlds apart, but for Sarah Wilson (Post-LPN BN student), pursuing these dual passions is proving equally important in finding her best path in life —and in finding confidence, happiness and fulfillment throughout her journey.

Alumni, students and faculty newsDo you have a new job? A project that would be interesting to others in the profession? Reason to celebrate? A recent publication or presentation? Share it with the Faculty of Health Disciplines community by sending an e-mail to fhdnews@athabascau.ca.

Share your news! Submit a story! Let us know what you want to read about! Drop us a line and help grow and strengthen the Faculty of Health Disciplines community. Together, we’ll have the conversations that matter to you.

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Published by Athabasca University Faculty of Health Disciplines. fhd.athabascau.ca

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News Brief OCTOBER 2018

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FACULTY OF HEALTH DISCIPLINES

Offering key insights into the transgender community Mateo Huezo (Master of Counselling ’18) has been active in Edmonton’s transgender community for more than a decade. His collaborative, innovative thesis project offers insights that have the potential to dramatically improve the lives of that community’s most vulnerable. MateoHuezo(MasterofCounselling’18)dreamsaboutcreatingarainbowhealthclinicinEdmonton,aplacewheretheLGBTQcommunitycanaccesscomprehensivehealthcarewithoutfearofmistreatmentorjudgment.Untilthatday,theRegisteredProvisionalPsychologistandCanadianCertifiedCounsellorisoneoffewtransgender-identifiedtherapistsinthecityusingwithin-communityknowledgetoempowervulnerablemembersofthetranscommunity.

TheTransCommunitySaysisanopenelectronicresource(OER)createdinpartnershipwithandforthetransgendercommunity.DevelopedfromHuezo’sMastersproject,“TheTransCommunitySaysProject,”itshareslocallyrelevantknowledgeandperspectivesthatcanhaveapositiveimpactonliveswithinthetranscommunity,aswellasofferimportantinsightsforindividualsandagenciesofferingresources.“Muchofthesupportofferedtothetranscommunitycomesfromwithinthecommunity,”Huezoexplains.“Thisispartofthevulnerability,becausealthoughwecaresomuchandgivesomuch,alotofthatworkismentorshiptohelppeoplenavigatesystemsandfigureoutwhattheyneedfortransition.Thisisinvisible,emotionallabour,andwedon’twantpeopleburningout.”

Huezolookedattheinternalwisdomandcapacitywithinthetranscommunity,focusedondevelopingresearchfortrans-affirmativecarewhichwouldalsobeusefulforthecommunityitself.Acommunity-basedparticipatoryactionprojectwascreated,engagingvolunteerswhowereinstrumentalinshapingtheresearchandgatheringinformationthroughfocusgroups.TheOERcaptureswhatwassaidinthegroups.“Ifwewanttosupportthetranscommunity,weneedtocapitalizeonthestrengthsthatarealreadythere,”Huezosays.Sustainingtheseeffortswillrequirelargersystemsandfunderstogetinvolved,andthekeytothatisensuringtheyhavetheknowledgetounderstandissuesandneeds.Huezoishelpingtoadvancethatprogressthroughprivatepractice,aswellasthroughteachingcollegeclasses,providingcommunityeducationthroughworkshopsandpresentations,andconsultingwithagenciestoshowhowtheknowledgegleanedfromtheprojectcanbemobilizedandputintopractice.“IwisharesourcelikethishadbeenavailablewhenIwasgrowingup,”Huezosays.“Ithinkitcouldbelife-changingforsomeone.Havingaccesstoyourowncultureandcommunityissoimportant.” ç RETURNTOFRONTPAGE GOTONEXTSTORYè

FACULTY OF HEALTH DISCIPLINES

A short dive into addiction The world of addiction is a complex one where providers typically treat a chronic relapsing disease without addressing underlying issues beyond choice and willpower. Alumna Hannah McKay (Master of Nursing: Nurse Practitioner ’13) shares her story about working in this challenging world. Tosaythattheworldofaddictionisfascinatingisanunderstatement.WhenIsteppedoutsideoftheworldofprimarycare,Iwasnotpreparedforthechallengesthatawaitedme.IhavealwaysworkedfortheNovaScotiaHealthAuthorityandjoinedtheEasternZone’sOpioidRecoveryPrograminSeptember2017,duringthemidstofanopioidcrisis.Mymandateistoincreaseaccesstoopioidagonisttreatment,buildcollaborativerelationshipswithprimarycareprovidersinordertoenabletransitionofstablepatientsbacktotheirprimarycareproviders,buildcapacitywithinourhealthcaresystemtoidentifyandmanageopioidusedisorder,andprovidemedicalcoverageifneeded.MyfundingcamefromtheNovaScotiaDepartmentofHealth.Mymanagerbelievedthataddinganursepractitionertoanalreadydiverseteamwouldnotonlypromoteaccessbutfacilitatecollaborationandenhancepatients’outcomes.Hervisionofcollaborativecare,providinganadditionalnursinglenstogrowingproblem,wasinsightfulandoptimistic.WhatIdidnotappreciatewasthemagnitudeofthiscrisisorthestigmathatsurroundsit.Iarrivedtoafind600patientsintheprogram,whichoperatesfromfoursites,andawaitlistofover100people.Wedecidedtoaddressthewaitlistfirst,acknowledgingthatagonisttreatmentismostlikelytopreventrelapseanddecreasemortalityandmorbidityassociatedwithillicitopioiduse.Weadmitted100patientsinamatteroffivemonthsanddiscoveredtheneedfortreatmenthadgrown.Ourwaitlistwasgrowingnotbecausetheneedgrew(theneedwasalwaysthere),butbecausepatientswhoweredesperateforhelpwereseeingmovementinourwaittimes.Thelightattheendofthetunnelwasgrowingbrighter. IwasnotabletoprescribeMethadoneinthoseearlydays.IwaspatientlywaitingforHealthCanadatoaccepttheCollegeofRegisteredNursesofNovaScotia(CRNNS)proposalforNPstoprescribeinNovaScotia.Iwas,however,abletoprescribeBuprenorphine/Naloxone.Sobeganajourneywithmycollaborativephysician,Dr.JenniferJohnston.WebegantoadmitpatientsrapidlythroughourRapidAccessClinic.Ourgoalwastostabilizepatientsonmedicationandthentransferthemtooneofourfoursites,wheretheycouldthenhaveaccesstoclinicaltherapists,psychologists,nursesandcommunityoutreachworkers.Whetherornottheychosetoengagethoseotherservicesdidnotaffecttheirabilitytoaccessopioidagonisttreatment.Patientscouldchoosetoenterourprogramwithoutjudgment.Weadoptedasimpleharmreductionapproach.

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FACULTY OF HEALTH DISCIPLINES

Ibegantoprovideprogressnotestoprovidersandstartedtoreachouttoproviderswhohadstablepatientswhonolongerrequiredtheservicesofastructuredprogram,butrequiredrefillsandsupport.Patientswhohadremainedonstabledoses,hadnotrelapsedandhadalsoreturnedtoworkorschoolorreconnectedwithlovedones,butwhoneededfollow-upforprescriptionrenewalsandrandomdrugscreens,couldnowbetransferredbacktotheirprimarycareproviders.Acknowledgingaddictionisachronicdisease,wewouldbeavailableforconsultationandtransfershouldthepatientrequiremoretreatment.Itseemedlikeasimpleconcept,butitisstillongoing.Itrequiressupport,educationandresourcesinordertonotonlyincreaseprimarycareproviders’prescribingconfidence,butalsotoincreasetheirabilitytoofferaserviceandbecompensatedappropriately.TheDepartmentofHealthchangedthebillingcodestoreflectthetimerequiredtoofferthisservice,andIofferedtoassistproviderswithbuildingtheirknowledgebaseandevenofferedtocometotheirclinictosupportthem.OnMarch26,2018,thefederalMinisterofHealthannouncedtherestrictionsonprescribingMethadoneandHeroinwouldbeliftedinordertoincreaseaccesstotreatment.WewouldnolongerneedanexemptionfromHealthCanada,butwouldrequireanopioiddependencecoursearoundMethadonemaintenanceandhavesomeformalmentorshipwithaMethadoneprescriberinaddictions.Hallelujah!Butwhiletheprovincialandfederalgovernmentshaveaddressedthebarrierstotreatment,theyarestillnotaddressingthecause.Witheachadmission,Iamhumbledandsometimeshorrifiedtohearthepatient’slifestory.Itissadtohearaboutthetraumatheyendured,thehardshipstheyfacedandthestigmatheyhavecomeupagainst.Yet,weignorethesocialdeterminantsofhealth,spendobsceneamountsofmoneyonlawenforcementtorespondtocriminalactivity—whichismostoftenaresultofpovertyoraddiction—andonacutecarebedstotreattheconsequencesofopioidusedisorder.ThemoneyspentonaddressingharmreductioninNovaScotiais2%ofthehealthcarebudget,butwedwellonthethingswesee(needlesleftonplaygrounds),thethingswecan’tpossiblyconceive(prostitutionorsharingneedles),orthethingswehavenotexperiencedourselves(Whydotheychoosetouse?Whycan’ttheyjuststop?).Myroleisevolvingtoincludeadvocacy,leadershipandeducation.Ithinkwehavemuchmoreworktodotobridgethegapbetweenthoseintreatmentandthoseneedingtreatment,butwealsoneedtoworkonunderstandingthecauseofdruguse,themisconceptionsthatsurround“use”andtheroleweallplayinmanagingchronicdisease.Thisismyworld.Mydaysareneverboring…andmypatientsarebeingtreated! ç RETURNTOFRONTPAGE GOTONEXTSTORYè

‘Witheachadmission,Iamhumbledandsometimeshorrifiedtohearthepatient’slifestory…thetraumatheyendured,thehardshipstheyfacedandthestigmatheyhavecomeupagainst.’

HannahMacKay

FACULTY OF HEALTH DISCIPLINES

Touch a quilt, touch a memory On a wintry day, there’s nothing better than staying warm and toasty under a quilt. But could there be more to a quilt’s magic? A recent study shows that ‘touch quilts’ could be a simple, effective and profoundly personal way to ease anguish and improve the quality of lives. Colourfulpiecesoffabricwithdifferenttextures.Bigbuttons.Somefauxfur.Azipperortwo.Scrapsoflaceandcrocheteddoilies.Heavyribbon.Fromthesesimpleitems,experiencedstitcherscancreatemorethanquiltsthatprovidewarmth—theycancreatepathstomemoriesthathelpcalm,relaxandreconnectwithpeoplelivingwithmemoryloss.ThesearethepreliminaryfindingsofDr.SharonMoore,aFacultyofHealthDisciplinesProfessor,andcolleagueswhorecentlycompletedaqualitativeresearchprojecton“touchquilts”—small-sizedlapquiltsintentionallycreatedtosafelystimulatedifferentsensoryexperiences—andtheirimpactonthequalityoflifeandcareofpeoplewithAlzheimer’sdiseaseordementia.“Touchquiltsmayhavethepotentialtomakeasignificantdifferenceinpeople’slives,”shesays.“Oursmallstudyshowedtheycouldbeareallysimpleinterventionthatgoesalongwaytoimprovingqualityoflife,toreducinganguish,withouttheuseofdrugs,inthelivesofourmostvulnerablepeople.”

Mooreadmitsherinterestintouchquiltswaspiquedbymorethanprofessionalinterest.She’saquilterherselfandmemberoftheMountainCabinQuiltersGuild(MCQG)inCanmore,Alta.“I’vebeenaquilterformanyyears,anddidn’tknowabouttouchquiltsuntilquiterecently,”sheexplains.“Afterhearingabouthowtheyprovidedcalmandcomforttopeoplewithdementia,andsometimesreducedtheneedformedication,Iwantedtolearnmore.ButIreallycouldn’tfindanyevidence.”

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photosbySharon

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FACULTY OF HEALTH DISCIPLINES

“Theexperienceofparticipatinginatouchquiltproject”beganin2016,inclosecollaborationwithCarolHenckel,whowasthentheDirectorofCareataCalgarylong-term-carefacility,alumnaMarikoSakamoto(MasterofNursing‘16)andJoanLoomis,ChairoftheMCQGEducationCommittee,whowastheliaisonwiththequilterswhowereinstrumentalinacceptingthechallengetolearnaboutandcreatethequiltsusedfortheresearch.Twolong-termcarefacilities(withatotalof48beds)tookpart,andtheimpactoftouchquiltsontheseresidents,theirfamiliesandprofessionalstaffwasexplored.Tohonourtheparticipants’preferencesandindividuality,eachchosetheirownquilt.Welearnedhowresidentsreactedtotouchquiltsbyobservingtheirresponseswhenpresentedwithaquilt,familyinterviewsandemailresponses,andfromstaffinterviewsandrecordingsinajournal.“Thequiltswerewellused,”Mooresays.“Inmorethan75journalentriesfromstaff,therewereonlythreeinstanceswherethequiltsdidn’tseemtohaveapositiveimpact.Staffnoticedbehaviouralchanges.Inonepoignantnote,welearnedaboutamanwhohadn’tspokenformanymonths.Helovedbaseball,choseaquiltwithasportsthemeandsharedmemories.“Familiesofferedbeautifulresponses.“Onewomansaidherhusbandcouldneverbestill,butthatwiththequilt,hecouldrunhishandsoverthequilt,sitquietlyandwatchanhour-longTVprogramwithher.Onewomancriedwhenshepickedupherquiltbecauseshewassogratefulandappreciativethatsomeonewouldcreatesomethingsobeautifulforher.“Oneman,anartist,displayedhisquiltonthewall,usingitinthewayinwhichhe,asanartist,connectedtoit.Thisreinforcedforushowimportantitwastoknowandunderstandresidents—byinvolvingtheirfamiliesandlearningtheirlifestories—honouringwhotheyareaspeople,andensuringtheyweretreatedwithrespectanddignity.”Anunexpectedsecondaspectoftheprojecthasalsoemerged.Duringtwointensivequilt-makingdays,Mooreheardthequilterstalkabouttheirownchallengesofcaringforfamilymembersandtheimpactofmentalillnessanddementia.“Thisaddedawholenewdimensiontotheproject—theimpactonthequiltersthemselves—whichisyettobeexplored,”shesays.Moorehaspresentedherpreliminaryfindingstoseveralgroupsandconferences,andisnowpreparingthefinalmanuscripttobesubmittedforpublication,aswellasbeginningworkonPhaseIIofthestudy. ç RETURNTOFRONTPAGE GOTONEXTSTORYè

(L–R): Sharon Moore, Carol Henckel and Joan Loomis

FACULTY OF HEALTH DISCIPLINES

Following a dream means going for gold Lisa Gray (Master of Counselling ’18) always knew she wanted to help people. She didn’t realize how big that dream would become, nor how much she could achieve, until she enrolled at AU. She’s the third Faculty of Health Disciplines grad in as many years to receive AU’s top academic prize. LisaGrayreceivedherMasterofCounselling(CounsellingPsychology)degree—andthe2018GovernorGeneral’sAcademicGoldMedal,awardedannuallytoAU’stopgraduatestudent—atConvocationonJune8,2018.Shealsogavethestudents’address,sharingamessageonbehalfofgraduateswiththehundredsofpeers,familymembersandfriendsinattendance.Itwasamomentmixedwithequalpartsjoy,pride,humility,excitementandsurprise.“It’samazingwhatyoucanachievewhenyouhavepeoplesupportingyou,andnowIwanttodomore,”Graysays,explainingthatfamilyandfacultyhavebeenbehindheralltheway.“IamabsolutelynotthesamepersonIwaswhenIstartedthisprogram.“AUprovidedmewithsomanyrichopportunities,andI’vebeenabletoengageinself-reflection,challengemyownbeliefsandperspectives,and,mostimportantly,gaintheconfidencetodothingsIdidn’tthinkIcoulddo.”Gray’sAUjourneystartedwhileworkingasastudentsuccesscoordinatorataprivatecollege.Shewashonouredwhenpeoplesharedtheirstoriesandlifeexperiences,andwantedadditionaltoolssoshecouldoffermorehelptopeople.EnrollingintheMasterofCounsellingprogramwasthefirststep.“Inmypracticums,inparticular,whenIwouldleaveasessionandfeelliketheclienthadan‘aha’moment,thosebecamemy‘aha’momentsaswell,”sheexplains.“IcouldseetheconnectionbetweenwhatIwasdoingandhowthiswashelping,whichwasextremelyrewarding.“You’rethereinpeople’stimeofneed,anditcanberawandemotional.Astheyshare,Ihavesomuchhopeforthem,andIgettoseethetransformationintheirlivesastheyworkthroughtheirchallenges.Ifeelsoconnectedtothehumanspirit;soconnectedtothecommunityandtohumankind.”

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FACULTY OF HEALTH DISCIPLINES

InspiredbyFHDfacultyandwiththeirencouragement—GraysaysDrs.GinaWong,GwenRempel,EmilyDoyle,KarenCookandJeffChangwereespeciallysupportiveandinspiring—Graycompletedathesisfocusedonevaluatingtheshiftsinparentingfollowingparents’participationintheCircleofSecurityprogram(aresearchprojectledbyFHDfaculty,whoinvitedGraytoparticipate).That,initself,wasanaccomplishmentbecausefewstudentsareacceptedintothethesisroute.Graymadetheassignmentallthemoredauntingbycompletingitwhileputtinginmorethan800hoursonherpracticum,commutingtoandfromthatpracticum,beingpartoftheCircleofSecurityresearchteamandbeingpregnant(sonEvanisnoweightmonthsold).Shehasalreadyparlayedthatpaperintoseveralconferencepresentationsandisworkingwithfacultymentorstopreparetwoarticlesforpublication.What’snext?GrayispursuingPhDstudies,potentiallyatMcGillUniversityortheUniversityofAlberta.“I’msogratefulforthepeoplearoundme,”Graysays,emphasizingthatitwouldnothavebeenpossiblewithouttheunconditionalsupportofherhusband(Andrew,anAUB.Comm.studentwhoistheVice-President,Finance,ofabusyconstructioncompany),extendedfamilyandtheAUprofessorswhorepeatedlyremindedherthatshecouldaccomplishanythingshesethermindto.“Idon’tconsidermyselfasuperherobyanystretch.Anybodycandothis—withtime,effortandstrongsupportfromfamilyandAU.AllofthepeopleatAUjustwantthebestforyou,sowithallthatencouragement,youjustwanttodomore.” ç RETURNTOFRONTPAGE GOTONEXTSTORYè

‘You’rethereinpeople’stimeofneed…Astheyshare,Ihavesomuchhopeforthem,andIgettoseethetransformationintheirlivesastheyworkthroughtheirchallenges.’

LisaGray

FACULTY OF HEALTH DISCIPLINES

Building business, impact on an MHS foundation Lisa Little (Master of Health Studies ’06) is making a meaningful contribution to health care, generally, and the nursing profession, specifically, by using all she learned in her MHS to serve a diverse group of clients across the country. StudyingonlinethroughAUwastherightchoicewhenLisaLittle(MasterofHealthStudies’06)wasworkingfull-timeandcompletingherdegree.Asaprofessionalwithherownbusiness,it’sstillright.LittleworkedwiththeCanadianNursesAssociationforadecadebeforelaunchingherowncompany,LisaLittleConsulting,in2010.Andifherrosterofhigh-level,nationalclientsacrossthespectrumofhealthprovidersdoesn’tkeepherbusyenough,since2017shehasalsoservedasoneoftwoNorthAmericanrepresentativesontheboardoftheInternationalCouncilofNurses(ICN),andshealsoteachesacourseonleadershipandmanagementtofourth-yearnursingstudentsatQueen’sUniversity.“IlikethevarietyofwhatIdo,andoftenhavefourorfiveprojectsonthegoatonce,”shesaysofdaysthataretheverydefinitionofvariety.Atanypoint,shecouldbeworkingonprimaryresearch,surveys,literaturereviewsandsearches,synthesisanddataanalysis,anddevelopingpapersthathelporganizationsturninformationintostrategicdirectionsorpolicy.Orshecouldbedesigningandfacilitatingmeetingsorworkshops,runningfocusgroupsorbeingpartofathinktank.Orshecouldbemanagingprojects.“BeingaconsultantallowsmetoselectwhatIwanttodo,”shesayswithalaugh.“TheroleIplaynowlet’smebeinthebackground.IknowI’mstillcontributinginaverymeaningfulway,andmakinganimpact,butIdon’tneedtobethefrontperson.”HerMHSisasolidfoundation.“WhatIlearnedandhowIlearned—online—fitswithwhatIdonow,”Littleexplains.“Nomatterwhereyouchoosetowork,whetherit’sprovidingdirectcare,teaching,doingresearchormanaging,havingthemaster’sallowsyoutotakeyourskillstoanewlevel.“Ithelpswithevidence-informeddecision-making,offersinsightsintousingresearchandapplyingitinpractice,andworkingcollaborativelyinteams.Itenablesyoutobringappreciativeinquiryintowhatyoudoeveryday,andtotakeasystems-levelapproachtolookbeyondtheindividual.”

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FACULTY OF HEALTH DISCIPLINES

ThatperspectiveiswidenedthroughLittle’sinvolvementwiththeICN,whichenableshertoseeandexperiencehealthcareindifferentcountries.Throughit,sheinfluencesinternationalpoliciesoforganizationsincludingtheWorldHealthOrganizationandUnitedNations,whichcanhaveanimpacton22millionnursesandnursingpracticeworldwide.“Nursingeducation,workforceissues,primaryhealthcarechallengesandmentalhealthareastruggleeverywhere,”shenotes.“Sharingandlearningfromeachotherinaglobalcontextservesnursingandhealthsystemsworldwide.”Those“connectthedots”insightsareinvaluabletogovernments,professionalassociations,unionsandotherswhohavecometoseeherasahubofknowledgeandnetworking.“Imeetwithandworkwithamazingpeopleacrossthecountry,”Littlesaysofdevelopingabusinessthatisbothprofessionallyandpersonallyinterestingandsatisfying.“I’vemadeaconscious,personalandprofessionalchoicetoworkasaconsultant,andtohavethefreedomtoworkonprojectsbeyondnursing.“Beinganentrepreneurallowsmetohaveagoodwork/lifebalancewhilestilldoingmeaningfulwork.”Andinthefuture?LittlewillcontinuetobuildonherMHSfoundation,exploringpotentialcollaborationswithbusinessconsultantsinherarea,becomingmoreknowledgeableaboutIndigenousculturetobettersupportclientstryingtomeetTruthandReconciliationCommissionrecommendations,andperhapsexpandingtoofferservicesinFrench. ç RETURNTOFRONTPAGE GOTONEXTSTORYè

‘Beinganentrepreneurallowsmetohaveagoodwork/lifebalancewhilestilldoingmeaningfulwork.’

LisaLittle

FACULTY OF HEALTH DISCIPLINES

Sitting is NOT the new smoking It’s time to ignore the alarmist headlines screaming that sitting is as bad for your health as smoking. It’s true that too much sitting isn’t good for you, but is it really as bad as smoking? Dr. Jeff Vallance led a team of researchers looking into it. The answer? Smoking remains in a class by itself. Thestoriesarealmosteverywhere—inTimeMagazine,theLosAngelesTimesandareevenpromotedbysomeprominenthealthcareinstitutions—raisingthealarmthatsittingisjustasbadforyourhealthassmoking.Butisitreally?Notbyalongshot.ThisistheconclusionreachedafteraninvestigationledbyDr.JeffVallanceandaglobalteamofleadinghealthresearchers.Thegroup’sfindingshavejustbeenpublishedintheSeptemberissueofthepeer-reviewedAmericanJournalofPublicHealth—andthesciencedoesn’tsupportallthosescaryheadlines.

Vallance,AUFacultyofHealthDisciplinesProfessorandTierIICanadaResearchChairinHealthPromotionandChronicDiseaseManagement,haslongbeeninterestedinresearchlookingatthehealthimpactsofphysicalactivityand,morerecently,toomuchsitting.Heandhisteam(comprisingleadingresearchersfromAustralia,ArizonaandAlberta)wereeagertodelvedeeperintoliteratureaboutthelatestbuzz—thedangersofsomuchsedentarytimeinpeople’slivesthesedays—inordertoseparatefactfromfiction.“Theclaimshavebeenoutrageousandunsubstantiated,”Vallancesays.“Somehavesuggestedthatsmokingissaferthansitting.Onewebsitethatpromotesactivegamingprogramsindicatedthatsittingforsixhoursisequivalenttosmoking25cigarettesaday.Anothersaidthatsittingforonehourisequivalenttosmokingtwocigarettes.Buttheseclaimsarenotbackedupbyanykindofcrediblescience.

“Allofthesestoriescommunicateafalsemessageand,becausemanypeoplegetalotoftheirhealthinformationandknowledgefrommassmedia,canhavesignificanthealthimplications.“Weneedtocommunicatethefactsasthesciencetellsus,andavoidmakingerroneouscomparisons,”Vallancesays,explainingtheteamfoundthat“equatingsittingwithsmokingisunwarranted,misleadingandonlydistortsandtrivializestheongoingandseriousrisksofsmoking.”

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FACULTY OF HEALTH DISCIPLINES

Theresearchersarrivedatthisconclusionthroughreviewingthescience,whichnecessarilyincludedtakingintoaccountthekeydifferencesbetweensittingandsmokingwhencomparinghealthimpacts.“Smokinghasbeencalledoneofthegreatestpublichealthdisastersofthe20thcentury,andthereisgoodreasonforthat,”Vallancenotes,explainingthereareseveralreasonswhysittingandsmokingcan’tbecompared:

§ Theriskofprematuredeathandchronicdiseasearesubstantiallyhigherforsmokingthanforsitting(recentstudiessuggestpeoplewhositalothavearounda20%higherriskofmortality,andsmokers’riskofmortalityisalmost300%higherthanthatofnon-smokers).

§ Whilepeoplewhositalot(forexample,exceedingeighthoursperday)havearounda10–20%

increasedriskofsomecancersandcardiovasculardisease,smokersareatmorethan10times(heavysmokersareatmorethan20times)greaterriskoflungcancerandhavemorethandoubletheriskofcancerandcancermortality.

§ Thereareinherentdifferencesbetweenthebehavioursthemselves:smokingisanaddiction,while

sittingisahabit,drivenbyconvenienceand,inmanycases,bytherebeingnootheroptionbuttosit.

§ Nicotinehasaprofoundimpactonthedevelopmentofafetus,canleadtophysiologicaldependenceandcancreateaspectrumofwithdrawalsymptoms.Nosuchresponseshavebeenlinkedwithsitting.

§ Smokingkillsotherswhoareexposedtosecond-handsmoke(approximately2.5millionpeopleinthe

U.S.alonehavediedfromexposuretosecond-handsmoke-relatedproblems),whiletheimpactofsittingstayswiththeindividual.

§ Theeconomicimpactofsmokingandsittingonthehealthcaresystemcan’tbecompared,because

therelevantdataarenotavailable.Theannualglobalcostofsmoking-attributablediseasewasalmostUS$500billionin2012,buttherearenoestimatesfortheimpactofsitting.Physicalinactivity(notmeetingphysicalactivityguidelines)costhealthcaresystemsUS$54billionin2013.

Sowhat’sthetake-away?“Weknowtoomuchsittingisnotgoodforyou,”Vallanceconcludes.“Forhealth,youneedtomovemore,anditisevenbetterifyouareactiveatleastatamoderateintensity.Thereisastrongsignalemergingfromalargebodyofrecentresearchfindingsthatsittingforexcessiveamountsoftimehasadverseeffectsonavarietyofhealthoutcomes,bothphysiological(higherbloodglucoseorweightgain)andmental(higherriskofdepression).“Butsmokinghasanimpactonnearlyeverysystemandorganinthebody.Thewell-establishedadversehealthrisksofsmokingshouldnotbetrivializedorminimized.“Ifyouhavetochoosebetweensittingorhavingasmoke?I’llstilltakethecouch.Smokingkills…there’snowayaroundit.”ReadthefullresearchcommentaryonlineattheAmericanJournalofPublicHealth,ajphapublications.org. ç RETURNTOFRONTPAGE GOTONEXTSTORYè

FACULTY OF HEALTH DISCIPLINES

ACTIVELIVINGCORNER

Fighting for happiness Mixed martial arts and nursing might seem to be worlds apart, but for Sarah Wilson (Post-LPN BN student), pursuing these dual passions is proving equally important in finding her best path in life —and in finding confidence, happiness and fulfillment throughout her journey.

IbeganmyjourneysintoMMA(mixedmartialarts)andnursingatthesametime.IfoundmyselfonacourseinlifethatIhadn’tmindfullychosenandnolongerwishedtocontinue.Aftertoomanyyearsofchoosingthepathofleastresistance,Ihadfunneledmyselffartherawayfrommypotential,andintothestagnantfogofmediocrity.Ifelttherewasuntappedtalentandpassioninsideme,butdidnotknowhowtofindanoutlettotranslatethatintoauseableskilltofurthermylife.Iwaswillingtostartmakingbigchangesbutcouldn’tseemtofindacareerthatlinedupwiththewilltosacrificeforit.Theenormouscommitmentoftimeandmoneytoschoolisdauntingwiththeuncertainjobmarkettoday.SoIswitchedmyfocusoffcareergoalstowhatmademehappyoutsideofwork.Ilovedtotravel,andhadalwayshadadesiretolivealifethatpositivelyimpactedothers.Withthatinmind,nursingsoonbecameanobviouschoice,specificallytoworkinternationallywithunderprivilegedpopulationswhohavelimitedaccesstohealthcare.Inplanningformyfuture,itfeltlikeIwouldneedtobeproficientinselfdefensetobeabletoconfidentlyenterwhatmaybeunsafeconditionsforawoman.Andsothejourneyintomartialartsbegan.

ImovedtoB.C.fromOntariotocompletemyLicensedPracticalNursediploma.Ialsostartedtraining,firstinmuaythaiandkickboxing,andeventuallytransitioningintojiu-jitsuandwrestlingaswell.Ifinishedschoolandenteredtheworkforceasasurgicalnurse.Nolongerastudentandwithextratimeonmyhands,mymartialartshobbybloomedintoaconsumingpassion.

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On Nov. 4, 2017, I competed in four divisions — winning three golds and one silver — at Grappling Industries Toronto, at Ryerson University.

FACULTY OF HEALTH DISCIPLINES

Throughoneextracurricularactivity,Iwasabletostayinshape,learntoprotectmyselfandmeetfriends.Ibegancompeting,firstlocally,thennationally,andtheninternationallywithoverallsuccessfulresults.Thelossesfuelledadesiretoperformbetterinallareasofmylife.Iwantedtoeatbetter,exercisemore,savemore.IstillhadplanstofinishmyRN,but,nearingmy30s,itwashardtothinkofgivingupfightingforafewmoreyearsintheclassroom.AthabascaUniversityofferedagreatopportunitytoworkatmypacetowardsmydegreewhilestillpursuingmydreamsoffighting.Nursingisn’taneasyjob—and,unfortunately,myknowledgeofselfdefensehasbecomeausefultoolmultipletimesinthefaceofaggressivesituationsencounteredatwork.Ihaveneverregrettedanyofmychoices.Throughnursing,IhavetappedintodepthsofloveandcompassionIdidn’tknowIpossessed.Ihavecriticallysolvedproblemstoimprovepeople’slives,andbydoingsohaveimprovedmyown.Throughfighting,Igainedacommunity.Ihavefoundselfconfidenceinmyphysicalstrengthandmyabilities.CompetinghastaughtmethatwhatIfeelinthemoment—whetherpain,defeatorhumiliation—areallexclusivetothatmoment.Thenextday,yourlifecontinuesthesameasitalwayswas.I’velearnedthatnomatterhowhardthingscanbe,howhorriblethesituation,thereisalwayssomethingthatcanbedonetoadvancethepositionandsituation.Theselessonshaveinfiltratedallareasofmylife.Iacceptthatadashtowardsthefinishlineisunrealistic.Thegoalsofjoyandfulfillmentareonlyfoundintheday-to-dayprogressofthejourney.Mycareergoalshaven’tchanged;theyarejustalittlefurtheraway.ThedestinationstillliesinthedreamsofinternationalserviceIbeganwith,buthasgrowntoincludewantingtoteachyoungwomentofightandtoshowthemtheconfidencethatishidingunderneathfear.Istillstrugglewithfeelingsofinadequacyandfindingpurpose.However,now,onthedaysIfalltothatpressure,thebottomisalotcloser—becausethereisastrongfoundationundermyfeet.Ihaveformedandcontinuetoformanidentityformyselfthatwillcontinuallyallowmevictories—onthemats,atworkandinlife. ç RETURNTOFRONTPAGE GOTONEXTSTORYè

‘Throughnursing,IhavetappedintodepthsofloveandcompassionIdidn’tknowIpossessed….Competinghastaughtmethat…nomatterhowhardthingscanbe…thereisalwayssomethingthatcanbedonetoadvancetheposition….’

SarahWilson

FACULTY OF HEALTH DISCIPLINES

Alumni, students and faculty news What’s new? Are you proud of a recent accomplishment or achievement? Have some thoughts or ideas to share with former classmates? Or just want to check in with the gang? Send an e-mail to fhdnews@athabascau.ca and share with the FHD community. CarlaBrittosCostaMNalumna

…graduatedinJune2018.ShesaysshewillalwaysbegratefultoAU,theprofessorsandherteacher,Dr.GwenRempel,fortheopportunitytolearnatherownpace,andtoadvancehercareer.Sheappreciatesherhusbandandtheirsonforbeingsopatientandsupportive.

AdrijanaD’SilvaMHSalumna

…hashadhermaster’sthesisresearchonlungcancerpublishedinthreeprestigiousjournals:LungCancer,PsychooncologyandMentalHealthandPhysicalActivity.HerFHDco-authorswereDrs.JeffVallanceandStevenJohnson.AdrijanawasawardedtheGovernorGeneral’sAcademicGoldMedalin2017forbeingtheAUstudentwiththehighestgraduate-levelstanding.

SeveralFHDfaculty

…collaboratedonanopinionpiece/rebuttalinUniversityAffairs,respondingtoapreviouslypublishedarticlethatquestionedtheinclusivityofonlinelearningandrehashedoldmythsandmisconceptions.TheFHDauthorsdisagreedwiththislimitedperspectiveandgeneralizations,citingtherealitiesofonlinelearningatAU.

Dr.ShawnFraserProfessor

…isservingasInterimDeanofAU’sFacultyofGraduateStudies.

FayeGosnellMCalumna

…istheMentalHealthCoordinatoratAthabascaUniversity,anewpositionthatstartedinApril2018.ARegisteredProvisionalPsychologistinAlberta,she’sworkingwiththeAUcommunitytodevelopandimplementaUniversity-widementalhealthstrategy.

Dr.PaulJerryandDr.TerraMurrayProfessors

…areworkingalongsideFHDDeanDr.MargaretEdwardsasAssociateDeans.PaulisAssociateDean,StudentServices,andTerraisAssociateDean,TeachingandLearning.

Dr.BethPerryMahlerProfessor

…wasnamedasAU’s2018recipientfortheAwardforExcellenceinGraduateStudentSupervision.

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FACULTY OF HEALTH DISCIPLINES

DerekLukMNalumnus

…receivedaCARNAEducationAwardofExcellenceinthespring.Derek,thefounderandCEOofMimentra,usesmobiletechnologyandevidence-basedmindfulnessprogramstohelppromotementalhealth.Mimentraisasocialenterpriseprovidingaccessibleandpersonalizedmentalhealthpromotionthroughmobiletechnologyplatforms.ReadmoreaboutDerekontheCARNAwebsite.

Dr.SharonMooreProfessor

…hasmadeanumberofpresentations:“ConversationsandReflectionsonHopeinNursingEducation:WhyItMatters,”(invitedkeynotespeakerattheWesternNorthwesternRegionCanadianAssociationSchoolsofNursingNurseEducatorConference,Calgary);“CreatingInvitationalClassroomsinOnlineLearning:TheHeartandSoulofTeaching”(withKerryBlack,LondonInternationalConferenceonEducation,CambridgeUniversity,U.K.);“CoachingCareerTransition,EntrepreneurTradespeopleinTeacherPreparation”(withKerryBlack,LondonInternationalConferenceonEducationatCambridgeUniversity,U.K.);“TouchQuilts,DementiaandEthicalChallenges”(withMarikoSakamotoandCarolHenckel,InternationalInstituteonQualitativeMethodologyConference,Banff)

JananeeRasiahPMD:NPalumna;BNDirectorofOperations

…hasbeensecondedtothepositionofDirector,PatientEngagementPlatform,oftheAlbertaStrategyforPatient-OrientedResearch(SPOR)SupportUnit—knownasAbSPORU.TheinitiativeisfundedjointlybyAlbertaInnovatesandtheCanadianInstitutesofHealthResearchtoadvancepatient-centredresearch.FHDAssociateProfessorDr.VirginiaVandall-WalkerleadsthePatientEngagementPlatform,oneofsevenwithinAbSPORU.

MarikoSakamotoMNalumna

…isaPhDcandidateintheFacultyofNursingattheUniversityofBritishColumbiaandrecentlyhadherfirstsoloarticle,“Nursingknowledge:Amiddlegroundexploration,”publishedinNursingPhilosophy.

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FACULTY OF HEALTH DISCIPLINES

Dr.JeffVallanceProfessor

…hasreceivedafive-yeargrantrenewalvaluedat$500,000tocontinuehisresearchasTierIICanadaResearchChairinHealthPromotionandChronicDiseaseManagement.ThefundingenablesJefftofurtherhisinvestigationsintotheimpactofphysicalactivityonchronicillness,whichishelpingtogatherimportantevidencetoinformthedevelopmentofhealthstrategiesatthesystemlevel,andhealthpromotionrecommendationsforindividuals.Jeffwasalsointerviewedrecentlyinseveralonline,broadcastandprintmediaarticlesfocusedonthefindingsofarecentresearchprojectthatlookedbehindtheheadlinesthatproclaimsittingisasbadforhealthassmoking.Vallanceledaninternationalteamwhichconsideredresearchdonetodate.Theyconcludedthatthetwodefydirectcomparison—andwhiletoomuchsittingisahealthconcern,smokingremainsinaclassbyitselfandisafargreaterrisktohealth.Seethe“Sittingisnotthenewsmoking”articleinthisissueofNewsBriefandcheckouttheEdmontonJournalstoryforinfo.

Dr.GinaWongAssociateProfessor

…andNicoleLetourneauwroteanopedintheTorontoStarinMarch2018,talkingabouttherealityofpostpartumOCDandhowitisfrequentlymisdiagnosedandmisunderstood—andthatitistreatable.