New Reports
New Reports
13th August 2008
Information Overload / MJA 2008; 189 (2): 84-85
Paul P Glasziou
Literature alert services, good evidence-based resources and real-time decision support can all help to reduce information overload
Available online with free registration at: http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/189_02_210708/gla10552_fm.html
Focus on Health Professional Education, Vol. 10, No. 1, May 2008 / The Association of Health Professional Education
The latest issue of this journal includes articles on:
1. Station score aggregation and pass/fail decisions for an OSCE
2. Turn a stack of papers into a literature review: useful tools for beginners
3. Barriers to online learning – the BMJ Learning experience
The Library regularly receives this journal so it might be worth keeping an eye on the latest table of contents at this website: http://www.anzame.unsw.edu.au/journal.htm
Hardcopy held at the ANZCA Library
Ethical guidelines for the care of people in post-coma unresponsiveness (vegetative) or a minimally responsive state / NMHRC
AND
A guide for families and carers of people with profound brain damage / NHMRC
The guidelines aim to contribute to the care of people in a state of post-coma unresponsiveness (PCU) or a minimally responsive state (MRS) by addressing ethical issues associated with this care – especially the complicated issues that have proved difficult for families, health professionals, courts and tribunals. The Guide for Families has been prepared for the families and friends of people in PCU or MRS. It explains these conditions, and the types of treatment and care that may or may not apply in individual situations.
Hardcopy held at the ANZCA Library or available online at: http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/synopses/e81_82syn.htm
Good practice in postoperative and procedural pain / Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland
This guidance is intended to be used by professionals involved in the acute care of children (0-18 years) undergoing pain management after surgery or for painful medical procedures. It includes recommendations for pain assessment, general principles of pain management and advice on the use of pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain management strategies for specific medical and surgical procedures.
Available online at: http://www.apagbi.org.uk/docs/APA_Guidelines_on_Pain_Management.pdf
Capturing patients' views on communication with anaesthetists: the CARE Measure
This article reports results of a study which aimed "to determine the relevance and reliability of the ten-item Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE) Measure as a tool for measuring patients' views of anaesthetists during preoperative assessment consultations".
Available online at:
http://www.library.nhs.uk/Theatres/ViewResource.aspx?resID=292021&tabID=289
18th July 2008
Australia’s Health 2008 / Australian Institute for Health and Welfare
Australia's health 2008 is the 11th biennial health report of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. It's the nation's premier source of statistics and informed commentary on: - patterns and determinants of health and illness - health across the life stages - the supply and use of health services - expenditure and workforce - and health sector performance. Available online at: http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/10585
Statistical Language! 2008 / Australian Bureau of Statistics
What is meant by time series? What is Relative Standard Error?
Written in plain English, in an easy to use format, this resource will assist users to:
- understand key statistical terminology
- gain confidence with interpreting summarised information
- make critical and informed use of data, whatever its source
Available online at: http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/mf/1332.0.55.002?OpenDocument
The Quarterly / The Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators
Including –
The NHS: Basic Facts
Focus on Quality
Preventing venous thromboembolism in hospitalised patients: NICS
Available in hardcopy at the ANZCA Library and online at: http://www.racma.edu.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=6&Itemid=397
Health Literacy, Australia, 2006 / Australian Bureau
of Statistics
The Adult Literacy
and Life Skills Survey collected information on: literacy skills; general
demographic characteristics; linguistic information; parental information;
labour force activities; literacy and numeracy practices; participation in
education and training; social capital and well being; information and
communications technology; and household composition and income.
Available online at: http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/4233.02006?OpenDocument
Population flows: Immigration aspects 2006/07 / Department of Immigration and Citizenship
Information on the characteristics of Australia's population, the composition of Australia's immigration programs and the movement of people into and out of Australia.
Available online at: http://www.immi.gov.au/media/publications/statistics/popflows2006-7/index.htm
Transactions Vol. 52 (1) Jan-Jun 2008 / Journal of the Colleges of Medicine of SA (CMSA)
This issue contains a number of items of interest:
- CMSA Policy Forum: Tertiary Academic Medicine, Specialist Training and Education: a way forward
- Pain management in Primary Care – current perspectives
- Quality Assurance II: a practical application to educate and train future specialists
Hardcopy held at the ANZCA Library
AMA Welcomes New Screening Exam For International Medical Graduates
From this week, State/Territory Medical Boards will require IMGs
applying to work in non-specialist positions to sit an AMC screening exam.
Overseas-trained specialists will be required to undergo assessment by the
relevant Medical College. The exam will not be required
for IMGs working in a College-approved training post.
Media release: http://www.aushealthcare.com.au/news/news_details.asp?nid=11677
11th July 2008
WHO surgical safety checklist and implementation manual / World Health Organisation
The WHO Surgical Safety Checklist was created to help operating teams reduce the occurrence of patient harm.
A simple free registration is required to access this manual.
Available online at: http://www.who.int/patientsafety/safesurgery/tools_resources/technical/en/index.html
Budget 2008-09 / Department of Health and Ageing
The Budget at a Glance pack includes media releases such as:
- Investing in a health system for the future
- Ending the blame game: reforming the health and hospital system
- Improving access to medicines
Media pack available in hardcopy at the ANZCA Library
Full details available online at: http://www.health.gov.au/budget2008
National Trauma Registry Consortium Report 2005
Available in hardcopy at the ANZCA Library or online at: http://www.uq.edu.au/ntrc/publications/Report2005.pdf
Indicators for Quality Use of Medicines in Australian Hospitals / NSW Therapeutic Advisory Group and Clinical Excellence Commission
The manual will enable hospital managers and clinicians to guide improvements in medication management in all types of hospitals across Australia. It is designed to complement the Medication Safety Self Assessment tools to provide hospitals with a comprehensive approach to monitoring quality use of medicines.
Available in hardcopy at the ANZCA Library or online at: http://www.ciap.health.nsw.gov.au/nswtag/indicators.html
New South Wales Patient Survey 2007 Report / NSW Health
The NSW Health 2007 Patient Survey is one of several strategies undertaken by NSW Health to gain a clear understanding of the patient and carer experience. Over 70,000 patients responded to the survey. This report summarises statewide findings.
Available online at: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/pubs/2008/patient_survey.html
ABA News, Vol. 21, No. 1, June 2008 / The American Board of Anesthesiology, Inc.
Available in hardcopy at the ANZCA Library
Australia’s Health 2008 / Australian Institute for Health and Welfare
Australia's health 2008 is the 11th biennial health report of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. It's the nation's premier source of statistics and informed commentary on: - patterns and determinants of health and illness - health across the life stages - the supply and use of health services - expenditure and workforce - and health sector performance. Available online at: http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/10585
Statistical Language! 2008 / Australian Bureau of Statistics
What is meant by time series? What is Relative Standard Error?
Written in plain English, in an easy to use format, this resource will assist users to:
- understand key statistical terminology
- gain confidence with interpreting summarised information
- make critical and informed use of data, whatever its source
Available online at: http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/mf/1332.0.55.002?OpenDocument
The Quarterly / The Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators
Including –
The NHS: Basic Facts
Competing influences in UAE Health
Focus on Quality
Preventing venous thromboembolism in hospitalised patients: NICS
Available in hardcopy at the ANZCA Library and online at: http://www.racma.edu.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=6&Itemid=397
Health Literacy, Australia, 2006 / Australian Bureau
of Statistics
The Adult Literacy
and Life Skills Survey collected information on: literacy skills; general
demographic characteristics; linguistic information; parental information;
labour force activities; literacy and numeracy practices; participation in
education and training; social capital and well being; information and
communications technology; and household composition and income.
Available online at: http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/4233.02006?OpenDocument
Population flows: Immigration aspects 2006/07 / Department of Immigration and Citizenship
Information on the characteristics of Australia's population, the composition of Australia's immigration programs and the movement of people into and out of Australia.
Available online at: http://www.immi.gov.au/media/publications/statistics/popflows2006-7/index.htm
Transactions Vol. 52 (1) Jan-Jun 2008 / Journal of the Colleges of Medicine of SA (CMSA)
This issue contains a number of items of interest:
- CMSA Policy Forum: Tertiary Academic Medicine, Specialist Training and Education: a way forward
- Pain management in Primary Care – current perspectives
- Quality Assurance II: a practical application to educate and train future specialists
Hardcopy held at the ANZCA Library
AMA Welcomes New Screening Exam For International Medical Graduates
From this week, State/Territory Medical Boards will require IMGs
applying to work in non-specialist positions to sit an AMC screening exam.
Overseas-trained specialists will be required to undergo assessment by the
relevant Medical College. The exam will not be required
for IMGs working in a College-approved training post.
Media release: http://www.aushealthcare.com.au/news/news_details.asp?nid=11677
Drug Industry in U.S. Will Pare Gifts to Physicians
By Robert Greene and Alex Nussbaum
July 10 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. pharmaceutical industry revised its code of conduct, banning gifts to doctors such as pens, mugs and restaurant meals. The changes don't limit thousands of dollars doctors collect for speaking and consulting.
Phrma code available online at: here
June 2008
Patient Safety in Public Hospitals / Victorian Auditor General
The risk that patients are harmed while receiving healthcare can never be mitigated entirely. Nevertheless, estimates suggest approximately 50 per cent of care-related injuries are avoidable, and the challenge for health services is to ensure their patient safety systems minimise the risk of harm.
The report, Patient Safety in Public Hospitals, examines the performance of the patient safety system, including how well agencies worked together and the progress made since VAGO’s 2005 patient safety audit.
Available online at:
Clinical Handover Literature Review
The eHealth Services Research Group at the University of Tasmania has produced this substantial
review with insightful analysis. The Commission funded this work to
ensure that those working to improve clinical handover have access to the most
up to date information.
This literature review examines the evidence for effectiveness of improvement
interventions in clinical handover. The review selected 110 publications
for discussion and presentation within the body of the report and addresses the
following three themes:
1. High Risk Scenarios in Clinical Handover;
2. Interventions, Critical Success Factors and
Effectiveness; and
3. Evidence Gaps in Clinical Handover.
The team has concentrated their review on literature published in the last five
years; included both quantitative and qualitative research; as well as
materials from both Australian and international publications.
Available online at: Here
Access (Issue 25, June 2008) / Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Feature articles on Indigenous Australians
Held in hardcopy at the ANZCA Library and online at: http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/10631
The Australasian College of Dermatologists 07/08 Annual Report
Held in hardcopy at the ANZCA Library and online at:
http://www.dermcoll.asn.au/public/publications.asp
The Mole (Issue 76, Autumn 2008) / The Australasian College of Dermatologists
Including: Teaching GPs Surgical Skills
2007 Annual Dermatology Workforce Survey
Held in hardcopy at the ANZCA Library
Exceptional Returns – the Value of Investing in Health R&D in Australia II / Prepared for the Australian Society for Medical Research by Access Economics
Some key findings –
-
Australian health R&D expenditure between 1992-93 and 2004-05 is estimated to return a net benefit of approximately $29.5 billion. For the average dollar invested in Australian health R&D, $2.17 in health benefits is returned, with a minimum of $0.57 and maximum of $6.01.
-
The annual value of gains in wellbeing (from all sources, not just R&D) are over $100 billion for females and over $270 billion for males by 2045.
-
Australian health R&D expenditure is estimated to be 1.15 of the global expenditure of health R&D. The proportion of world health returns attributable to Australian R&D is approximately 3.04%.
-
Health R&D provides returns to Australia of 117%, exceeded only by mining (159%) and wholesale/retail (438%) of sectors considered.
Available in hardcopy at the ANZCA Library and online at:
http://www.asmr.org.au/ExceptII08.pdf
Victorian Doctors Health Program (VDHP) Newsletter
Addresses coping with stress and burnout.
VDHP is a confidential and compassionate service for doctors and medical students with health concerns including stress & anxiety problems, substance use disorders, mental health disorders, any other health problems, including physical health concerns.
Available in hardcopy at the ANZCA Library and online at:
Medical Practitioners Board of Victoria Bulletin (Vol. 2, June 2008)
Including: Enhancing medical practice in Victoria’s public hospitals; and Secure online facilities for medical practitioners.
Available in hardcopy at the ANZCA Library and online at:
http://medicalboardvic.org.au/pdf/Vol2_2008.pdf
Interaction (Issue 1, May 2008) / Medecins Sans Frontieres
Inaugural issue of the Australian magazine for Medecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders.
Available in hardcopy at the ANZCA Library
Up (Vol. 9, 2008) / Standards Australia
Including – New business model; Australian International Design Awards; Federal Government’s national OH&S review; and new Workforce Planning Handbook launched.
Available in hardcopy at the ANZCA Library
Selected Health Occupations, 2006 (cat. no. 4819.0) / Australian Bureau of Statistics
A new snapshot of Australia's health workforce is available. The report uses data from the 2006 Census of Population and Housing to provide an overview of 4 key occupational groups:
Generalist medical practitioners
Specialists
Dental practitioners
Nurses (including midwives)
This release examines:
Geographic distribution - across different states, or by remoteness
Demographic characteristics - such as age and sex, if aged 60 and over, whether born overseas or recent arrival
Working arrangements - including hours worked, part-time workers
This data provides information about current trends in key health occupations and their longer term sustainability.
Available online at:
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/4819.0
2009 National Patient Safety Goals / The Joint Commission
The National Patient Safety Goals promote specific improvements in patient safety by providing health care organizations with proven solutions to persistent patient safety problems.
Available online at: http://www.jointcommission.org/PatientSafety/NationalPatientSafetyGoals/default
May 2008
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons 2007 Accreditation Report / Australian Medical Council
The introduction of the new SET program encompasses other major changes to surgical training which are being introduced over the next four years. These include: reducing the total time for a doctor to complete surgical training, identifying the competencies that define excellence in surgery and surgical training, enhancing requirements for on-the-job assessment, and moving in time to a competency-based training program which would phase out entirely time-based training.
Executive Summary: http://www.amc.org.au/RACS%20Executive%20Summary%2007.pdf
Australasian College of Dermatology 2007 Accreditation Report / Australian Medical Council
The report identifies challenges facing dermatology, such as workforce shortages, and the development of new surgical and non-surgical procedures which are widening the scope of dermatology practice. The AMC report commends the College’s commitment to expand the training opportunities available so there can be more training positions, and exposure to both common dermatological conditions best represented in private practice and to more complex clinical presentations and skills seen in public hospitals and the Skin and Cancer Foundations.
Available in hardcopy at the ANZCA Library
Executive Summary: http://www.amc.org.au/Executive%20summary%20dermatology.pdf
AMC Accreditation Register: Specialist and Vocational Training / Australian Medical Council
Available in hardcopy at the ANZCA Library
Understanding Doctors : Harnessing professionalism
Social and technological changes are challenging doctors, causing many to rethink their role, the way they practise and the nature of their professionalism. What does the future hold? The Royal College of Physicians and the King's Fund convened 10 events around England and Wales where doctors and other health professionals discussed their changing roles as clinicians, as managers and as members of multidisciplinary teams. Understanding Doctors: Harnessing professionalism presents the opportunities and challenges for doctors in their own words. Their strong and thoughtful views will make a significant contribution to the debate on the future of the profession. http://www.kingsfund.org.uk/publications/kings_fund_publications/understanding_docs.html
Report on the Audit of
Health Workforce in Rural and Regional Australia
This report provides information gathered in the audit of the health workforce in rural and remote Australia. It investigates the number and distribution of the health workforce, specifically doctors, nurses and other health professionals, currently working in rural and regional Australia, describes the current workforce supply and identifies where health workforce shortages exist.
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/work-res-ruraud
