title: Population need and geographical access to general practitioners in rural New Zealand

authors: Brabyn, Lars

subjects: geographical information system

abstract: To use a geographical information system (GIS) approach to demonstrate the extent to which different areas in New Zealand vary in their geographical access to GPs, and to analyse the extent to which spatial access varies in relation to different population groups.

Methods
Three methods; population/GP ratios, least cost path analysis (LCPA), and an allocation method (which considered the capacity constraint of GPs) were used to demonstrate differences in geographic accessibility to GPs. Travel time, and distance to the closest GP, was calculated for every census enumeration district in New Zealand (n=38336)—thus enabling population-based accessibility statistics to be calculated and aggregated to the territorial local authority level. These calculations include the average travel time if everybody visited a GP once and the population more than 30 minutes from a GP. The composition of this population is analysed according to three criteria of need: the level of deprivation (NZDep2001), ethnicity (%Maori), and age (% <5 years, and %65 years and over). 

Results
There are significant regional variations in geographical accessibility in New Zealand, and these differences are dependent upon the method to calculate accessibility. Ratio measures give a different picture of GP access than the other two indicators, reflecting the fact that TAs with similar ratios often have wide variations in travel times as well as the size and proportion of the population living more than 30 minutes from the closest GP. TAs with larger numbers and a higher proportion of their populations living in such areas tend to be more deprived and have a higher proportion of Maori, especially in the North Island. There appears to be no significant trend by age. 

Conclusion
Given the health and service consequences of poor access, the results suggest that more attention needs to be paid to extending the spatial information base in primary care, in order to achieve more effective planning of services for disadvantaged populations.

text: Population need and geographical access to general practitioners in rural New Zealand To use a geographical information system (GIS) approach to demonstrate the extent to which different areas in New Zealand vary in their geographical access to GPs, and to analyse the extent to which spatial access varies in relation to different population groups.

Methods
Three methods; population/GP ratios, least cost path analysis (LCPA), and an allocation method (which considered the capacity constraint of GPs) were used to demonstrate differences in geographic accessibility to GPs. Travel time, and distance to the closest GP, was calculated for every census enumeration district in New Zealand (n=38336)—thus enabling population-based accessibility statistics to be calculated and aggregated to the territorial local authority level. These calculations include the average travel time if everybody visited a GP once and the population more than 30 minutes from a GP. The composition of this population is analysed according to three criteria of need: the level of deprivation (NZDep2001), ethnicity (%Maori), and age (% <5 years, and %65 years and over). 

Results
There are significant regional variations in geographical accessibility in New Zealand, and these differences are dependent upon the method to calculate accessibility. Ratio measures give a different picture of GP access than the other two indicators, reflecting the fact that TAs with similar ratios often have wide variations in travel times as well as the size and proportion of the population living more than 30 minutes from the closest GP. TAs with larger numbers and a higher proportion of their populations living in such areas tend to be more deprived and have a higher proportion of Maori, especially in the North Island. There appears to be no significant trend by age. 

Conclusion
Given the health and service consequences of poor access, the results suggest that more attention needs to be paid to extending the spatial information base in primary care, in order to achieve more effective planning of services for disadvantaged populations.

year: 2004-08-06

title: Handing on Christ: Rediscovering the Gift of Christian Doctrine – By Richard Clutterbuck [Book review]

authors: Pratt, Douglas

subjects: book review

abstract: This article reviews the book: “Handing on Christ: Rediscovering the Gift of Christian Doctrine”, by Richard Clutterbuck.

text: Handing on Christ: Rediscovering the Gift of Christian Doctrine – By Richard Clutterbuck [Book review] This article reviews the book: “Handing on Christ: Rediscovering the Gift of Christian Doctrine”, by Richard Clutterbuck.

year: 2011

title: Chief’s Mana in action; a study investigating the team’s perspective.

authors: Howarth, Joelene

subjects: Sports psychology

abstract: Team culture, and its relevance to performance behaviour and attitudes, has recently gained increased focus in sport psychology research and practice (Schroeder, 2010; Cruickshank & Collins 2012; Morgan, Fletcher & Sarkar, 2014). Cruickshank and Collins (2012) state that“high performing cultures prevail when the shared perception and action of the elite team environment members; (a) supports sustained optimal performance; (b) persists across time in the face of variable results(i.e. wins, losses, ties); and most importantly, (c) leads to consistently high performance” (p.340). Spink et al. (2013) found preliminary evidence that a positive psychological climate, as defined by the significance and meaning of the work environment to the individual, is also linked to increased athlete effort. Various researchers suggests that it is a difficult task to change, cultivate and maintain a team culture, that is the social and psychological environment, which promotes best performance (Cruickshank & Collins 2012; Schroeder, 2010).

text: Chief’s Mana in action; a study investigating the team’s perspective. Team culture, and its relevance to performance behaviour and attitudes, has recently gained increased focus in sport psychology research and practice (Schroeder, 2010; Cruickshank & Collins 2012; Morgan, Fletcher & Sarkar, 2014). Cruickshank and Collins (2012) state that“high performing cultures prevail when the shared perception and action of the elite team environment members; (a) supports sustained optimal performance; (b) persists across time in the face of variable results(i.e. wins, losses, ties); and most importantly, (c) leads to consistently high performance” (p.340). Spink et al. (2013) found preliminary evidence that a positive psychological climate, as defined by the significance and meaning of the work environment to the individual, is also linked to increased athlete effort. Various researchers suggests that it is a difficult task to change, cultivate and maintain a team culture, that is the social and psychological environment, which promotes best performance (Cruickshank & Collins 2012; Schroeder, 2010).

year: 2016