June Policy and Research Update No Images? Click here Research & Policy UpdateWelcome to the June Research and Policy Unit update. The research team recently collaborated with the National Farmers' Federation to survey 454 remote and rural Australians to ascertain their needs and priorities for the Australian health system. A research paper has been developed and will be launched in July/August. More information regarding the national telehealth research trial within the RFDS will be sent to participating Sections/Operations in July. Lara met with colleagues from the RFDS in Victoria, and the research team at the University of Queensland to progress the implementation plan. It will be an exciting trial and we are looking forward to commencing it in September. The next Clinical and Health Services Research Committee meeting will be held in Sydney on 15 August. Please send travel booking requests to Cresley at cresley.wheeler@rfds.org.au. Updates on projects related to the provision of primary health care services to decrease the number of aeromedical retrievals, cardiovascular disease, mental health literacy, and hi-flow humidified oxygen are on the agenda. The research team is liaising with Palliative Care Australia (PCA) to commence a clinical research project on end of life care planning, following a successful PCA-RFDS joint funding grant awarded by the Department of Health. Lara, Andy and Cresley Peer reviewed research24 novices and 16 experts attempted intubation with 5 different video laryngoscopic devices on high-fidelity airway manikins under varying conditions (difficult intubation, light on/off). This paper presents the results. The evidence base for statins in primary prevention grew in 2016 with the HOPE-3 trial investigating intermediate-risk persons. The authors investigated ACC/AHA recommendations for statin therapy, that are supported by currently available RCT evidence. Stroke in ICD-11: The end of a long exile Cerebrovascular diseases have been reclassified in ICD-11, where an agreement was made to move all cerebrovascular diseases to diseases of the nervous system section. Presents the results of a cluster randomised trial comparing the management of CVD risk in patients with diabetes, to those without diabetes. Researchers found that recommendations for managing CVD risk were more frequently implemented for people with diabetes than for those without diabetes. The evaluated intervention was moderately effective in improving screening of risk factors. There was no change in the prevalence rate of probable common mental disorders (CMDs) with very high symptom levels between 2001 and 2014, but a slight decrease in the prevalence of probable CMDs with high symptoms levels, particularly among those under 45 years of age. Pelvic trauma mortality reduced by integrated trauma care Multi-faceted intervention was associated with significant reduction in mortality of patients with severe pelvic injury. Breast cancer targetted therapy: Successes and challenges Features a three-part series on targeted treatment for the three most common breast cancer subtypes: oestrogen-receptor-positive, HER2-positive, and the more heterogenous triple-negative disease. Improving Indigenous health through education This article explores the influence of education on the health of Indigenous people. Although treatment rates of mental disorders have increased, there is little evidence that the population prevalence of these disorders has declined, a pattern also reported in other high income countries where increased treatment has been made available. In this article, Professor Roger Strasser proposes that successful rural training programs have two key elements—role models and intense interaction with patients. This update to the 2005 RANZCP guidelines has a greater emphasis on psychosocial treatments, physical health co-morbidities, and vocational rehabilitation. Recent policy proposals & reformInternational Classification of Diseases (ICD) Information Sheet Changes to ICD-11 are being finalised and will be released in 2018. Framework for a National Strategy on Climate, Health and Wellbeing The recently launched Framework provides a roadmap to support the Commonwealth Government in taking a leadership role in protecting the health and well-being of Australian communities from climate change, and in fulfilling its international obligations under the Paris Agreement. Certainty for eight Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health care providers The Australian Government announced $8 million in funding for eight providers delivering health care services under the Indigenous Australians’ Health Program, including funding for the Queensland Section of the RFDS. Report welcomed as Government works to strengthen aged care sector A recent report by the Senate Community Affairs References Committee into the future of Australia’s aged care workforce, highlights the variety of challenges for people working in metropolitan and regional aged care. Streamlined support for Aboriginal Community Health Services Under a new Network Funding Agreement, the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) will receive $20 million in funding. NACCHO will form a collaborative network with its State and Territory counterpart organisations to finance and support local health services. Community awareness grants to help boost registration of organ donation decisions Sixteen community awareness grants have been awarded for projects to increase the number of registered organ and tissue donors. More help with medications through community pharmacies These free programs help patients who are unable to properly manage their medications. The ‘MedsChecks’ and ‘Diabetes MedsChecks’ services provide an in-pharmacy review of eligible patients’ medications, focusing on education and self-management. Evidence-based clinical practice guideline for deprescribing cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine in people with dementia Public consultation notice New guidelines are being developed for NHMRC approval. These are available for for public consultation until 6 July 2017. Review of NEW perinatal mental health guidelines Public consultation notice The Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE) has been commissioned by the Commonwealth Government to review the existing Australian perinatal mental health guidelines initially developed by beyondblue (2011). The draft guidelines are available for consultation until July 4. What's new?Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet publishes a peer-reviewed electronic journal, called HealthBulletin, which provides new information about research of relevance to the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This is a comprehensive resource that may be of interest to RFDS staff. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) releases The AIHW released several reports and web updates in June, including:
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) releases The ABS released the following in June: Please feel free to share this update with colleagues within your Section or Operation. |