MNCLHD

MNCLHD

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

HIV management: A guide for clinical care

The Australasian Society for HIV Medicine has updated the HIV Management: a Guide for Clinical Care monograph. This clinical resource has been extensively reviewed and updated to incorporate the latest advances and research in the management of HIV. It is an invaluable reference handbook for HIV S100 community prescribers and clinicians. The resource aims to improve the care and wellbeing of people with HIV infection in Australasia. The 2009 edition is divided into the following three sections: mechanisms, phases and diagnostic; therapeutics and monitoring; and clinical manifestations of HIV disease.

Need a Cochrane refresher?


The ACC Guide to the Cochrane Library (previously named the NICS Guide) has been developed to help introduce people to the Library and provide some initial guidance on how to find information within it. Since October 2002 all Australians have had access to The Cochrane Library as a result of funding by the Australian Government. To view the Guide click here.

Free PDA & iPhone/iPod touch Resources


The Medical College of Wisconsin has formulated a list of resources suitable to download freely to PDAs, iTouch and iPhones. Handheld devices have become an integral part of clinical education and a valuable tool in the clinical setting providing quick access to reference materials at the point of care. This is a fantastic list of mostly free resources you can download.


SUPPORT Tools for evidence-informed health Policymaking (STP)

Knowing how to find and use research evidence can help policymakers and those who support them to do their jobs better and more efficiently. Health Research Policy and Systems journal has published a series written for people responsible for making decisions about health policies and programmes and for those who support these decision makers. The series is intended to help such people to ensure that their decisions are well-informed by the best available research evidence. Each article in the series presents a proposed tool that can be used by those involved in finding and using research evidence to support evidence-informed health policymaking. The series addresses four broad areas: 1. Supporting evidence-informed policymaking 2. Identifying needs for research evidence in relation to three steps in policymaking processes, namely problem clarification, options framing, and implementation planning 3. Finding and assessing both systematic reviews and other types of evidence to inform these steps, and 4. Going from research evidence to decisions. To view and download the articles, click here.
The series describes a set of tools that have been developed by the SUPporting POlicy relevant Reviews and Trials (SUPPORT) project, an international collaboration funded by the European Commission’s 6th Framework (http://www.support-collaboration.org/

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Career Choice and Practice Location of Medical Graduates

The one-year Flinders University program for undergraduate education located in rural general practices has set the standard for medical education in Australia and internationally. The results of this study suggest that half of these graduates are on a rural pathway. The article considers why the other half is not, applying unique typology that includes 'The Frustrated' and 'The Metro Docs'. 'A new model to understand the career choice and practice location decisions of medical graduates' (From: NRHA eforum - 15 December 2009)

Expectations and Experiences Associated With Rural GP Placements

'Expectations and experiences associated with rural GP placements'Placement experiences have the potential to influence medical career decision-making. What, then, are the pre-placement expectations and actual experiences associated with rural GP placement. This unique, small South Australian study will make thought-provoking reading for those interested in the rural GP workforce.http://www.rrh.org.au/articles/showarticlenew.asp?ArticleID=1264 (From: NRHA eforum - 15 December 2009)

First Six Monthly Report for Remote Indigneous Services

The Australian Government has released the first six monthly report from the Coordinator General for Remote Indigenous Services on the progress being made in delivering essential services to people living in 29 priority Indigenous locations across Australia. First report into Remote Indigenous Service Delivery (From: NRHA eforum - 15 December 2009)


Australian Government Contribution to Hospital Care

Whether you are a public patient in a public hospital or a patient using private insurance in a private hospital, the Australian Government ends up contributing around the same amount of funding, according to a report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) "Funding sources for admitted patients in Australian hospitals, 2005-06". (From: NRHA eforum - 15 December 2009)

Northern Territory Child Health Checks

Many children have benefited from health services following health checks in the Northern Territory, but not all children have received follow-up services for their health problems, according to a report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare "Progress of the Northern Territory Emergency Response Child Health Check Initiative: final report on results from the Child Health Check and follow-up data collections". The report shows that more than 10,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged between 0 and 15 years received a Child Health Check (CHC) under the Northern Territory Emergency Response (NTER) between July 2007 and June 2009. (From: NRHA eforum - 15 December 2009)

Caesarean Rate Stabilises as Baby Boom Continues

The rate of women undergoing caesarean section has stabilised for the first time in more than ten years according to a report "Australia's mothers and babies 2007" from the AIHW. The report also shows more women are having babies and more are delaying having children until later in life. The baby boom continued with over 12,000 more births in 2007 than in 2006 and 14% more than in 2004. The perinatal death rate was 10.3 per 1,000 births and fetal and neonatal deaths were 7.4 per 1,000 births and 2.9 per 1,000 live births respectively. Young maternal age, maternal Indigenous status and multiple births were associated with higher rates of perinatal deaths. (From: NRHA eforum 15 December 2009)

Monday, December 14, 2009

Prevention of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic kidney disease: targeting risk factors

A new report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) shows that while a lot is being done to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic kidney disease, significant levels of risk still remain. Cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) account for around a quarter of the burden of disease in Australia, and just under two-thirds of all deaths. These three diseases often occur together and share risk factors, such as physical inactivity, overweight and obesity, and high blood pressure. This report includes information on the national prevalence of the main risk factors for CVD, CKD and diabetes as well as population initiatives and individual services that aim to prevent or control these risk factors. It shows the prevalence of some risk factors is increasing-notably obesity, which rose from 11% of adults in 1995 to 24% in 2007-08. This is the first report to present a systematic approach to monitor prevention in Australia, providing a baseline for future monitoring. Download report here.

A guide to what works for depression – Beyondblue

This booklet, written for beyondblue by Anthony Jorm, Nick Allen, Amy Morgan and Rosemary Purcell, provides a comprehensive review of all known treatments for depression, including medical, psychological and complementary and lifestyle interventions. The user-friendly booklet rates treatments with a 'thumbs up, thumbs down' scale and features a tear-off bookmark summary of treatments that are proven to work. Click here to download the booklet or order from the beyondblue website http://www.beyondblue.org.au/ or by calling 1300 22 4636 (local call).

Diabetes, medicines and me

The National Prescribing Service (NPS) and Diabetes TASMANIA have launched a new educational series aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, which addresses medicines use issues. The videos are designed to be used by health professionals and community organisations when discussing the management of type 2 diabetes with newly diagnosed patients. The series comprises 11 segments which cover issues including the types of medicines used to manage type 2 diabetes, the best ways to manage medicines, and what patients should discuss with their healthcare providers.
The videos range from one to five minutes and you may download, display print and reproduce the videos in unaltered form only for non-commercial use either personally or within your organisation.

Australian Guideline for the Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE).

Australians at risk of potentially fatal blood clots will benefit from NHMRC’s new Australian Guideline for the Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE). This Guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (blood clots), in adult surgical and medical patients and pregnant women admitted to Australian metropolitan, regional and rural hospitals.Thirty thousand people are hospitalised each year in Australia due to VTE. Approximately 2,000 Australians die each year from VTE. Eighty percent of these cases are related to prior hospitalisation for either surgery or acute illness. The Guideline is intended for use by doctors, nurses, pharmacists and allied health professionals but also provides useful information for consumers and those responsible for the quality and safety of healthcare. Download the guideline here.

Improving Stroke Management in Australian Emergency Departments

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has released a stroke care package designed to improve care for people presenting to the emergency department with acute stroke and transient ischaemic attack (TIA). Stroke is Australia’s second single greatest killer after coronary heart disease and is a leading cause of disability. There are approximately 60 000 new and recurrent strokes in Australia each year, that’s one stroke every 10 minutes. This number will increase as the population ages. According to the National Stroke Foundation (NSF), one in five people having a first-ever stroke die within one month and one in three die within a year. Effective treatment in the emergency department can reduce disabilities and improve long term patient outcomes.
The package comprises a small number of evidence-based interventions, grouped together and applied to the management of a particular condition. Download the package here.

Wednesday, December 09, 2009

Information site for social workers

Information for practice is a site sponsored by the New York University School of Social Work; the Division of Social Work and Behavioral Science, Mount Sinai School of Medicine; the Institute for the Advancement of Social Work Research, and the Society for Social Work and Research. It's Mission Statement is "To help social service professionals throughout the world conveniently maintain an awareness of news regarding the profession and emerging scholarship."
The site is updated regularly and includes links to news items, open access journals, grey literature, meta analyses and guidelines.

Cycling safety and injuries


"With a dramatic increase in cycling, comes a plethora of new safety issues on the roads. Doctors, politicians, planners and cyclists agree it will mean changing the way we design, govern and use our roads." ABC Radio National's Background Briefing this week presented their program on On-Road Cycling. It is estimated that there has been a 48% increase in people riding their bikes to work over the last five years, which has led to a huge increase in Emergency Department presentations for cycling injuries - especially in the 40-49 year age group. Police records for cycling accidents are greatly underestimated as so many go unreported.

Monday, December 07, 2009

Australian Eye Health

A Guide to Australian Eye Health Data describes key Australian data collections which indicate the prevalence and outcomes of eye diseases and injuries and eye health care utilisation. Published today December 7 by AIHW, it updates the 2007 edition. Since the publication of the first edition there have been a number of developments in the availability of eye health data, most notably sources of information about eye health among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The report is available via the Internet only.

Women and health: today's evidence tomorrow's agenda


Despite considerable progress in the past decades, societies continue to fail to meet the health care needs of women at key moments of their lives, particularly in their adolescent years and in older age. These are the key findings of the WHO report Women and health: today's evidence tomorrow's agenda. The report provides the latest and most comprehensive evidence available to date on women's specific needs and health challenges over their entire life-course. The report includes the latest global and regional figures on the health and leading causes of death in women from birth, through childhood, adolescence and adulthood, to older age. You can download or order the full report here.

Closing the Gap Collection

Closing the Gap Clearinghouse provides access to a collection of quality information on what works to overcome Indigenous disadvantage. It is a collection of evidence-based research on overcoming disadvantage for Indigenous Australians and can be searched via the Quality-Assessed Collection—a focused collection of material with individual quality assessments or
the General Collection—a broad collection of material related to the COAG building blocks.

E-Health


The National E-Health Transition Authority (NEHTA) has been established to accelerate the adoption of e-health by supporting the process of reform in the Australian health sector. It is hoped that E-health will greatly enhance both the quality and timeliness of healthcare information, delivering substantial benefits to healthcare consumers, healthcare providers and the Australian health sector as a whole. Australian governments are committed to implementing e-health around existing electronic health initiatives to transform the way information is used to plan, manage and deliver healthcare services.The National E-Health Transition Authority Strategic Plan (2009-2012) is available here.
They also answer the question of "What is an IEHR?"

TIME: Toolkit of Instruments to Measure End-of-life Care

A fundamental barrier in the quality of care at the end of life is the lack of measurement tools. These measurement tools should identify opportunities for improving medical care, examining the impact of interventions or demonstration programs, and holding institutions accountable for their quality of care. Brown University has put together an authoritative bibilography of instruments to measure the quality of care and quality of life for dying patients and their families. Based on these reviews, Toolkit instruments have been created, which are available on this site at no charge. They also have Links to other relevant sites. You can also do a Database search limiting your search to such subjects as Pain, Hospice or Home Care or Grief.

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

Creative Ageing Seminar

A public seminar 'From creative ageing to end-of-life in rural and remote Australia', was an integral part of this year's CouncilFest. The various presentations can be accessed from the above link. This is a valuable site for those who were unable to attend and for those who did attend but are keen to recap the salient points made by an impressive list of keynote speakers. (From: NRHA e-forum 2 December, 2009)

New reports on General Practice activity

The AIHW today released General practice activity in Australia 2008-9. This report presents results from a national study of general practice activity called the BEACH program. From April 2008 to March 2009, 1,011 general practitioners recorded data about 101,100 GP-patient encounters involving the management of 149,462 problems. For an 'average' 100 encounters, GPs recorded 106 medications, 34 clinical treatments, 17 procedures, 9 referrals to specialists and 4 to allied health services, and ordered 46 pathology and 10 imaging tests.

In addition, the AIHW published General practice activity in Australia 1999-00 to 2008-09: 10 year data tables which also stems from the BEACH program and details changes that have occurred over the last decade in the characteristics of general practitioners and the patients they see; the problems managed and the treatments provided. "In adult patients aged 18 years and over, between 1999–00 and 2008–09 prevalence of overweight increased from 33% to 36%, obesity from 19% to 25%, daily smoking decreased from 19% to 15% and at-risk alcohol consumption remained static at 26%."

More than 85% of the population visit a GP at least once in any year. From March 2008 to April 2009, there were about 112 million general practice consultations paid for by Medicare, up from 101 million in 1999–00; an average of 5.1 per person, a similar visit rate to 1999–00 (5.4 visits per head). The GPs themselves are aging, feminising and becoming more qualified.

Draft Australian Guidelines on ADHD

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) and National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) have made available updated draft Australian Guidelines on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Due to an ongoing investigation in the US, the Council of the NHMRC has not been able to ratify the guidelines as yet, but the draft is accessible.

More than 350,000 Australian children and adolescents are estimated to have ADHD and this draft updates the guidelines published in 2005 which have now been withdrawn. The NHMRC site linked to above also contains other useful information to assist parents and medical professionals in treating and recognising ADHD, including a systematic literature review.