Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Neuromuscular Training Improves Movement Competency And Physical Performance Measures In 11-13 Year Old Female Netball Athletes, A Hopper, E Haff, O Barley, C Joyce, R Lloyd, G Haff

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a neuromuscular training program on movement competency and measures of physical performance in youth female netball players. It was hypothesized that significant improvements would be found in movement competency and physical performance measures following the intervention. Twenty-three junior female netball players (age, 12.17 ± 0.94 yrs; height, 1.63 ± 0.08 m; weight, 51.81 ± 8.45 kg) completed a test battery before and after a six-week training intervention. 13 of these athletes underwent six weeks of neuromuscular training, which incorporated plyometrics and resistance training. Trained athletes showed significant improvements in …

Excisional Treatment In Women With Cervical Adenocarcinoma In Situ (Ais): A Prospective Randomised Controlled Noninferiority Trial To Compare Ais Persistence/Recurrence After Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure With Cold Knife Cone Biopsy: Protocol For A Pilot Study, Paul A. Cohen, Alison Brand, Peter Sykes, David C.H. Wrede, Orla Mcnally, Lois Eva, Archana Rao, Michael Campion, Martin Stockler, Aime Powell, Jim Codde, Max Bulsara, Lyndal Anderson, Yee Leung, Louise Farrell, Pennie Stoyles

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

Introduction: Adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) of the uterine cervix is the precursor to invasive endocervical adenocarcinoma. An excisional biopsy such as a cold knife cone biopsy (CKC) should be performed to exclude invasive adenocarcinoma. Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) is an alternative modality to CKC but is controversial in AIS. There is a perception that there is a greater likelihood of incomplete excision of AIS with LEEP because the depth of excised tissue tends to be smaller and the tissue margins may show thermal artefact which can interfere with pathology assessment. In the USA, guidelines recommend that any treatment modality …

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis And A Role For Autoimmunity, G Hoyne, H Elliott, S Mutsaers, C Prele

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is the most common of the idiopathic interstitial pneumonias. It is typically associated with extensive and progressive fibrosis, is fatal and has limited treatment options. Characteristically IPF patients display large lymphocyte aggregates composed of CD3+ T cells and CD20+ B cells within the lung tissue that are located near sites of active fibrosis. In addition, IPF patients can have autoantibodies to a range of host antigens, suggesting a breakdown in immunological tolerance. In this review we examine the role of T and B cells in IPF pathogenesis and discuss how loss of self- tolerance to lung …

The Effectiveness Of Environment Assessment Tools To Guide Refurbishment Of Australian Residential Aged Care Facilities: A Systematic Review, S Neylon, C Bulsara, A Hill

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

Objective: To determine applicability of environment assessment tools in guiding minor refurbishments of Australian residential aged care facilities.

Method: Studies conducted in residential aged care settings using assessment tools which address the physical environment were eligible for inclusion in a systematic review. Given these studies are limited, tools which have not yet been utilised in research settings were also included. Tools were analysed using a critical appraisal screen.

Results: Forty-three publications met the inclusion criteria. Ten environment assessment tools were identified, of which four addressed all seven minor refurbishment domains of lighting, colour and contrast, sound, flooring, furniture, signage and …

Patient Evaluation Of Emotional Comfort Experienced (Peece): Developing And Testing A Measurement Instrument, A Williams, L Lester, C Bulsara, A Petterson, K Bennett, E Allen, D Joske

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

Objectives: The Patient Evaluation of Emotional Comfort Experienced (PEECE) is a 12-item questionnaire which measures the mental well-being state of emotional comfort in patients. The instrument was developed using previous qualitative work and published literature.

Design: Instrument development.

Setting: Acute Care Public Hospital, Western Australia.

Participants: Sample of 374 patients.

Interventions: A multidisciplinary expert panel assessed the face and content validity of the instrument and following a pilot study, the psychometric properties of the instrument were explored.

Main outcome measures: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis assessed the underlying dimensions of the PEECE instrument; Cronbach’s α was used to determine the …

The Most Important "Factor" In Producing Clubhead Speed In Golf, C Joyce

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

Substantial experiential research into x-factor, and to a lesser extent crunch-factor has been undertaken with the aim of increasing clubhead speed. However, a direct comparison of the golf swing kinematics associated with each ‘factor’ has not, and possible differences when using a driver compared to an iron. Fifteen low handicap male golfers who displayed a modern swing had their golf swing kinematic data measured when hitting their own driver and five-iron, using a 10-camera motion analysis system operating at 250 Hz. Clubhead speed was collected using a validated launch monitor. No between-club differences in x-factor and crunch-factor existed. Correlation analyses …

Sleep Disturbance And Serum Ferritin Levels Associate With High Impulsivity And Impulse Control Disorders In Male Parkinson's Disease Patients, R Anderton, M Byrnes, A Jefferson, S Walters, S Ghosh, R Stell, F Mastaglia

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

Impulse control disorders (ICDs) occur in a subset of Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients on dopaminergic medications however there are currently no reliable markers to identify patients at risk. Sleep disturbances are more common in patients with an ICD. Serum ferritin levels have been associated with PD disease stage and progression, but have not previously been associated with impulsivity levels. The objective of this study was to determine if serum ferritin levels and sleep disturbance are associated with high traits of impulsivity and ICD in a cohort of PD patients attending a movement disorders clinic. This study assessed impulsiveness in 87 …

Physical Determinants Of Division 1 Collegiate Basketball, Women’S National Basketball League And Women’S National Basketball Association Athletes: With Reference To Lower Body Sidedness, T Spiteri, M Binetti, A Scanlan, V Dalbo, F Dolci, C Specos

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

In female basketball the assumed components of success include power, agility, and the proficiency at executing movements using each limb. However, the importance of these attributes in discriminating between playing levels in female basketball have yet to be determined. The purpose of this study was to compare lower body power, change of direction (COD) speed, agility, and lower-body sidedness between basketball athletes participating in Division 1 Collegiate basketball (United States), Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) (Australia), and Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) (United States). Fifteen female athletes from each league (N = 45) completed a double and single leg counter-movement …

The Relationship Between Repeated Kicking Performance And Maximal Aerobic Capacity In Elite Junior Australian Football, J Joseph, C Woods, C Joyce

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

Australian football (AF) is a physically demanding game, requiring players to engage in a range of anaerobic activities interspersed with prolonged aerobic exercise. Coupled, players have to perform a range of technical skills, the most fundamental of which being to effectively kick (dispose) the ball. The aim of this study was to ascertain the extent to which aerobic capacity influenced kicking performance in AF. Twenty four elite U18 players competing in the same U18 competition performed the Australian Football Kicking test (AFK) three times with the yo-yo IR2 completed twice (between each AFK), with no rest between all three AFKs. …

Community-Based Prescribing For Impetigo In Remote Australia: An Opportunity For Antimicrobial Stewardship, S Oliver, J Cush, J Ward

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

Background: To support antibiotic prescribing for both hospital and community-based health professionals working in remote North Western Australia, a multidisciplinary Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) Committee was established in 2013. This Committee is usually focused on hospital-based prescribing. A troubling increase in sulfamethoxazole/ trimethoprim resistance in Staphylococcus aureus antibiograms from 9 to 18% over 1 year prompted a shift in gaze to community prescribing.

What we did: Finding a paucity of relevant research, we first investigated contextual factors influencing local prescribing. We also designed a systematic survey of experts with experience relevant to our setting using a structured response survey (12 questions) …

Impact Of Consumer Copayments For Subsidised Medicines On Health Services Use And Outcomes: A Protocol Using Linked Administrative Data From Western Australia, K Seaman, F Sanfilippo, E Roughead, M Bulsara, A Kemp-Casey, C Bulsara, G Watts, D Preen

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

Introduction: Across the world, health systems are adopting approaches to manage rising healthcare costs. One common strategy is a medication copayments scheme where consumers make a contribution (copayment) towards the cost of their dispensed medicines, with remaining costs subsidised by the health insurance service, which in Australia is the Federal Government. In Australia, copayments have tended to increase in proportion to inflation, but in January 2005, the copayment increased substantially more than inflation. Results from aggregated dispensing data showed that this increase led to a significant decrease in the use of several medicines. The aim of this study is to …

Lack Of Evidence For Decreased Protein Stability In The 2397 (Met) Haplotype Of The Leucine Rich Repeat Kinase 2 Protein Implicated In Parkinson’S Disease, Ryan S. Anderton, Lauren Hill, Rhiannon Morris, Frank L. Mastaglia, Wayne Greene, Sherif Boulos

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

Missense mutations in the leucine rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene are the leading genetic cause of autosomal dominant familial Parkinson’s disease. We previously reported that two mutations within the ROC domain, namely R1441C and A1442P, exhibit increased protein degradation leading to lowered steady state LRRK2 protein levels in HEK293 cells. More recently, the common WD40 domain LRRK2 haplotype, Met2397, which is a risk factor for Crohn’s disease, has been shown to lower steady state protein levels in HEK293 cells. In view of recent evidence implicating LRRK2 and inflame-mation in PD, we investigated the effects of Met2397 on LRRK2 expression, …

Actual Competence, Rather Than Perceived Competence, Is A Better Predictor Of Physical Activity In Children Aged 6-9 Years, Fleur Mcintyre, Helen Parker, Paola Chivers, Beth Hands

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

There is a limited understanding about the relative importance of perceived and actual competence on emergent physical activity levels in children and whether there is a difference in their development and strength between boys and girls.

This study used a single-cohort, multiple age group design to monitor physical activity, actual motor competence (AMC) and perceived competence (PC) on four occasions over 18 months in 6-to 9-year-old boys and girls (N = 201). Physical activity was measured by 7-day daily step counts (pedometer) and activity diary. AMC was assessed by mastery of skill criteria for 4 motor skills; run, overhand throw, …

The Improving Rural Cancer Outcomes Trial: A Cluster-Randomised Controlled Trial Of A Complex Intervention To Reduce Time To Diagnosis In Rural Cancer Patients In Western Australia, Jon D. Emery, Victoria Gray, Fiona M. Walter, Shelley Cheetham, Emma J. Croager, Terry Slevin, Christobel Saunders, Timothy Threlfall, Kirsten Auret, Anna K. Nowak, Elizabeth Geelhoed, Max Bulsara, C D'Arcy J. Holman

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Rural Australians have poorer survival for most common cancers, due partially to later diagnosis. Internationally, several initiatives to improve cancer outcomes have focused on earlier presentation to healthcare and timely diagnosis. We aimed to measure the effect of community- based symptom awareness and general practice-based educational interventions on the time to diagnosis in rural patients presenting with breast, prostate, colorectal or lung cancer in Western Australia.

Methods: 2_2 factorial cluster randomised controlled trial. Community Intervention: cancer symptom awareness campaign tailored for rural Australians. GP intervention: resource card with symptom risk assessment charts and local cancer referral pathways implemented through …

Analysis Of Platelet-Rich Plasma Extraction Variations In Platelet And Blood Components Between 4 Common Commercial Kits, J. Fitzpatrick, Max Bulsara, M. Richardson, M. Zheng

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been extensively used as a treatment in tissue healing in tendinopathy, muscle injury, and osteoarthritis. However, there is variation in methods of extraction, and this produces different types of PRP.

Purpose: To determine the composition of PRP obtained from 4 commercial separation kits, which would allow assessment of current classification systems used in cross-study comparisons.

Study Design: Controlled laboratory study.

Methods: Three normal adults each donated 181 mL of whole blood, some of which served as a control and the remainder of which was processed through 4 PRP separation kits: GPS III (Biomet Biologics), Smart-Prep2 …

Optimizing Patient Risk Stratification For Colonoscopy Screening And Surveillance Of Colorectal Cancer: The Role For Linked Data, David B. Preen, Iris Lansdorp-Vogelaar, Hooi C. Ee, Cameron Platell, Dayna R. Cenin, Lakkhina Troeung, Max Bulsara, Peter O'Leary

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

No abstract available for this article.

Clinical Consultations And Investigations Before And After Discontinuation Of Endocrine Therapy In Women With Primary Breast Cancer, Derrick Lopez, Anna Kemp-Casey, Christobel Saunders, Elizabeth Roughead, Frances Boyle, Max Bulsara, David Preen

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

Objective: Although clinical trials recommend that women with hormone-dependent primary breast cancer remain on endocrine therapy for at least 5 years, up to 60% discontinue treatment early. We determined whether these women had consulted with clinicians or had investigations for cancer recurrence or metastasis around the time they discontinued endocrine therapy, and whether clinical contact continued after discontinuation.

Methods: We performed case-control and cohort studies of women from the 45 and Up Study who were diagnosed with invasive primary breast cancer between January 2003 and December 2008, and who had ≥12 months of anastrozole, exemestane, letrozole or tamoxifen subsequently dispensed. …

Tumour-Infiltrating Regulatory T Cell Density Before Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy For Rectal Cancer Does Not Predict Treatment Response, Melanie J. Mccoy, Chris Hemmings, Chidozie C. Anyaegbu, Stephanie J. Austin, Tracey F. Lee-Pullen, Timothy J. Miller, Max K. Bulsara, Nikolajs Zeps, Anna K. Nowak, Richard A. Lake, Cameron F. Platell

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

Neoadjuvant (preoperative) chemoradiotherapy (CRT) decreases the risk of rectal cancer recurrence and reduces tumour volume prior to surgery. However, response to CRT varies considerably between individuals and factors associated with response are poorly understood. Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) inhibit anti-tumour immunity and may limit any response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. We have previously reported that a low density of Tregs in the tumour stroma following neoadjuvant CRT for rectal cancer is associated with improved tumour regression. Here we have examined the association between Treg density in pre-treatment diagnostic biopsy specimens and treatment response, in this same patient cohort. We …

Eeg Neurofeedback For Executive Functions In Children With Neurodevelopmental Challenges, Jasmin K. Landes, Corinne L. Reid, Martijn Arns, Nicholas A. Badcock, Tomas Ros, Stefanie Enriquez-Geppert, Max K. Bulsara, Stefano Brini, Sheida Rabipour, Mimma Mason, Neils Birbaumer, Bethanie Gouldthorp, Mike Anderson

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows:

To assess the effectiveness of EEG neurofeedback as treatment for inhibition and updating problems in children facing neurodevelopmental challenges.

Health Economics Of Targeted Intraoperative Radiotherapy (Targit-Iort) For Early Breast Cancer: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis In The United Kingdom, Anil Vaidya, Param Vaidya, Brigitte Both, Chris Brew-Graves, Max Bulsara, Jayant S. Vaidya

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

Objective: The clinical effectiveness of targeted intraoperative radiotherapy (TARGIT-IORT) has been confirmed in the randomised TARGIT-A (targeted intraoperative radiotherapy-alone) trial to be similar to a several weeks’ course of whole-breast external-beam radiation therapy (EBRT) in patients with early breast cancer. This study aims to determine the cost effectiveness of TARGIT-IORT to inform policy decisions about its wider implementation. Setting TARGIT-A randomised clinical trial (ISRCTN34086741) which compared TARGIT with traditional EBRT and found similar breast cancer control, particularly when TARGIT was given simultaneously with lumpectomy.

Methods: Cost-utility analysis using decision analytic modelling by a Markov model. A cost-effectiveness Markov model was …

Assessment Of R18, Cog1410, And App96-110 In Excitotoxicity And Traumatic Brain Injury, Li Shan Chiu, Ryan S. Anderton, Jane L. Cross, Vince W. Clark, Adam B. Edwards, Neville W. Knuckey, Bruno P. Meloni

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

Cationic arginine-rich and poly-arginine peptides (referred to as CARPs) have potent neuroprotective properties in in vitro excitotoxicity and in vivo models of stroke. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) shares many pathophysiological processes as stroke, including excitotoxicity. Therefore, we evaluated our lead peptide, poly-arginine R18, with the COG1410 and APP96-110 peptides, which have neuroprotective actions following TBI. In an in vitro cortical neuronal glutamic acid excitotoxicity injury model, R18 was highly neuroprotective and reduced neuronal calcium influx, while COG1410 and APP96-110 displayed modest neuroprotection and were less effective at reducing calcium influx. In an impact-acceleration closed-head injury model (Marmarou model), R18, COG1410, …

Reducing Falls After Hospital Discharge: Protocol For A Randomised Controlled Trial Evaluating An Individualised Multi-Modal Falls Education Program For Older Adults, A. Hill, C. Etherton-Beer, S. Mcphail, M. Morris, L. Flicker, R. Shorr, M. Bulsara, D. Lee, J. Francis-Coad, N. Waldron, A. Boudville, T. Haines

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

Introduction: Older adults frequently fall after discharge from hospital. Older people may have low self-perceived risk of falls and poor knowledge about falls prevention. The primary aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of providing tailored falls prevention education in addition to usual care on falls rates in older people after discharge from hospital compared to providing a social intervention in addition to usual care.

Methods and analyses: The ‘Back to My Best’ study is a multisite, single blind, parallel-group randomised controlled trial with blinded outcome assessment and intention-to-treat analysis, adhering to CONSORT guidelines. Patients (n=390) (aged 60 …

Changes In Fatty Acid Composition Of Human Milk In Response To Cold-Like Symptoms In The Lactating Mother And Infant, Andrew S. Gardner, Ibrahim A. Rahman, Ching T. Lai, Anna Hepworth, Naomi Trengove, Peter E. Hartmann, Donna T. Geddes

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

Infants rely on their innate immune systems to protect them from infection. Human milk (HM) contains fatty acids (FAs) and monoacylglycerols that are known to exhibit antiviral and antibacterial properties in vitro. The specific fat content of HM may potentially affect the efficacy of this antimicrobial activity. This preliminary study investigates whether the proportions of FA in HM change in response to infections, leading to cold-like symptoms in the mother or infant. Milk samples were obtained from mothers (n = 26) when they and their infants were healthy, and when mother, infant, or both suffered cold-like symptoms. The milk was …

Birth Experience Of Fathers In The Setting Of Teenage Pregnancy: Are They Prepared?, Simeon Ngweso, Rodney W. Petersen, Julie Quinlivan

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

Aim: To explore the birth experiences of teenage fathers and determine the extent to which they are prepared for childbirth.

Methods: A mixed methods observational study was undertaken comparing the birth experience of 50 fathers in the setting of teenage pregnancy (teenage) compared to a group of 50 older fathers. Fathers were recruited in the antenatal period and completed structured questionnaires following the birth of their child. Quantitative and qualitative analysis was undertaken.

Results: Teenage fathers were younger, less educated and less likely to attend prenatal childbirth education classes (P < 0.0001). During birth, they were less prepared and consulted by attending staff (both P < 0.05). They reported limited roles in intrapartum decision-making (< 20%). In multivariate analysis being a father in the setting of teenage pregnancy remained significantly associated with feeling unprepared for birth. The major themes in qualitative analysis were feeling unprepared, shock, fear, a sense of detachment, happiness, pride, love of the baby and satisfaction with fertility.

Conclusion: Teenage fathers are less prepared for the …

The Essence Of Helping: Significant Others And Nurses In Action Draw Men Into Nursing, D Juliff, Kylie P. Russell, Caroline Bulsara

Nursing Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Nurses are ageing placing nursing workforce sustainability under threat. An untapped potential resource of men in nursing exists within Australia. Objective: The aim of the first phase of this longitudinal study was to investigate why men choose nursing. Design: Qualitative methodological approach used interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA).

Research question: “What are the experiences of male graduate nurses regarding their career choice?”

Method: The IPA method focused on personal subjective experience where the participants’ own sense-making is important. Discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a format relevant to IPA. Participants: Purposeful snowball sampling recruited nine nurses.

Findings: The …

Safety And Feasibility Of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (Tdcs) Combined With Sensorimotor Retraining In Chronic Low Back Pain: A Protocol For A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial, A Ouellette, M Liston, W Chang, D Walton, B Wand, S Schabrun

Physiotherapy Papers and Journal Articles

Introduction Chronic low back pain (LBP) is a common and costly health problem yet current treatments demonstrate at best, small effects. The concurrent application of treatments with synergistic clinical and mechanistic effects may improve outcomes in chronic LBP. This pilot trial aims to (1) determine the feasibility, safety and perceived patient response to a combined transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and sensorimotor retraining intervention in chronic LBP and (2) provide data to support a sample size calculation for a fully powered trial should trends of effectiveness be present.

Methods and analysis A pilot randomised, assessor and participant-blind, sham-controlled trial will …

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (Tens) For Neuropathic Pain In Adults, W Gibson, B Wand, N O'Connell

Physiotherapy Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Neuropathic pain, which is due to nerve disease or damage, represents a significant burden on people and society. It can be particularly unpleasant and achieving adequate symptom control can be difficult. Non-pharmacological methods of treatment are often employed by people with neuropathic pain and may include transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). This review supersedes one Cochrane Review ’Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for chronic pain’ (Nnoaham 2014) and one withdrawn protocol ’Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for neuropathic pain in adults’ (Claydon 2014). This review replaces the original protocol for neuropathic pain that was withdrawn.

Objectives: To determine the …

The Development Of The Dutch Version Of The Fremantle Back Awareness Questionnaire, Lotte Janssens, Nina Goossens, Benedict M. Wand, Madelon Pijnenburg, Tinne Thys, Simon Brumagne

Physiotherapy Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Disturbed body perception may play a role in the aetiology of chronic low back pain (LBP). The Fremantle Back Awareness Questionnaire (FreBAQ) is currently the only self-report questionnaire to assess back-specific body perception in individuals with LBP.

Objectives: To perform a cross-cultural adaptation of the FreBAQ into Dutch.

Design: Psychometric study.

Methods: A Dutch version of the FreBAQ was generated through forward-backward translation, and was completed by 73 patients with LBP and 73 controls to assess discriminant validity. Structural validity was assessed by principal component analysis. Internal consistency was assessed by the Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Construct validity was assessed …

Association Of Waist Circumference With Outcomes In An Acute General Surgical Unit, T Ryan, P Gosal, A Seal, J Mcgirr, N Williams

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Obesity prevalence is increasing in Australia, particularly in non-metropolitan areas. The effect of obesity on acute surgical outcomes is not known. We aimed to record waist circumference (WC) (surrogate for obesity) amongst acute surgical unit (ASU) patients in a New South Wales regional hospital, and compare outcome measures (length of stay (LOS), unplanned return to theatre, readmission rates, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mortality).

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of 4 months of consecutive ASU admissions, excluding age

Results: Of 695 admissions, 512 met the inclusion criteria (47.1% female, average age 52.8 years (SD 22.3)), with 85.1% (P < 0.001) of females and 69.4% (P =0.166)ofmales having an increased- or high-risk WC. This compares to rates amongst inner regional populations of 71.0% (female) and 66.4% (male). LOS was longer for high-risk patients (5.0 days versus 3.7 days, P = 0.002). However, the mean age of high-risk patients was greater (56.6 years versus 46.9 years, P = 0.001) and LOS was longer for those aged ≥60 (P < 0.001). After controlling for age, high-risk WC was not associated with any outcome measure, except amongst ICU admissions, where high-risk patients stayed longer (15.5 days versus 6.8 days, P <0.001).

Conclusion: …

Effectiveness And Efficiency Of Training In Digital Healthcare Packages: Training Doctors To Use Digital Medical Record Keeping Software, Nicola Benwell, Kathryn Hird, Nicholas Thomas, Erin Furness, Mark Fear, Greg Sweetman

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Objective: Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH) is the first hospital in Western Australia to implement a digital medical record (BOSSnet, Core Medical Solutions, Australia). Formal training in the use of the digital medical record is provided to all staff as part of the induction program. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the current training program facilitates efficient and accurate use of the digital medical record in clinical practice.

Methods: Participants were selected from the cohort of junior doctors employed at FSH in 2015. An e-Learning package of clinically relevant tasks from the digital medical record was created …