Pictured at the Summit are (from left) Jenny Moloney, Katie Yeomans and Jane Taylor.

The MUDRIH interprofessional team was represented at the recent People in Health Summit. Jenny Moloney, Project Manager of Gippsland Regional  Interprofessional Program in Simulation (GRIPS), Katie Yeomans (Indigenous Lecturer) and Jane Taylor (Adjunct Lecturer/interprofessional) all attended the health summit, representing Senior Lecturer Mollie Burley who was on leave.

Three papers were presented at the Summit which showcased a range of work by the team.  These sessions were well attended despite the late time slot.

Jane’s presentation outlined the four years of multifaceted capacity building MUDRIH has undertaken in partnership with Latrobe Community Health Service.  Jane said the highlight for her was seeing Katie, as a proud Aboriginal woman, talk about the inspirational work she is doing with her own community in delivering Indigenous coaching sessions for non-Indigenous health workers in Gippsland.  The enthusiasm and questions from the audience underlined the interest aroused by this innovative approach to cultural safety.

According to Jenny, the Summit was a good opportunity to meet face-to-face with key Department of Health personnel. She said it was also inspiring to hear about other groups’ programs.

International Journal of Evidence-Based Healthcare

Dr Hanan Khalil has accepted the role of Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Evidence-Based Healthcare (IJEBH). Ms Helen Chambers will be the managing editor.

Published quarterly, The International Journal of Evidence-Based Healthcare is dedicated to communicating important new studies relevant to current debates and developments in evidence-based healthcare. Papers are grouped under the categories of Evidence Synthesis (translation), Evidence Transfer (dissemination), and Evidence Utilisation (implementation and evaluation).

The journal also features original commentary, articles on methodology and letters to the editor, providing a global forum for discussion of multidisciplinary, evidence-based healthcare practice.

“In the next era of the International Journal of Evidence based Healthcare,  I am looking to include the work of a number of disciplines such as pharmacy, physiotherapy, podiatry and other allied health practitioners that adopt partnership models to facilitate translation of science into practice in order to inform policy making,” Dr Khalil said.

“New knowledge about approaches that promote the implementation of evidence to improve patient care across various practice settings and populations has the capacity to inform practice change.

“The IJEBH welcomes articles that describe and report on active involvement and collaboration of all stakeholders in terms of methodological development related to ways to communicate knowledge. We will be also looking to publish innovative articles of scientific rigour using the most appropriate methods to produce valid, generalizable answers on how to implement evidence into practice.”

“Clinical practice guidelines is another section that I would like to introduce to the journal. Practice guidelines are a result of a comprehensive assessment of the current scientific evidence. They provide detailed, evidence based guidance for clinicians to assess and manage various conditions. The journal will devote a section to clinical practice guidelines development to inform various practice models.

“Through the incorporation of those sections mentioned above, we are hoping to address some of the gaps identified in translation science by making use of the strengths of multidisciplinary collaborations for better knowledge translation across the health disciplines, to improve health outcomes worldwide.”

The International Journal of Evidence-Based Healthcare also publishes research conducted by the Joanna Briggs Institute. JBI is an international collaboration of health researchers and clinicians that aims to promote best practice in healthcare.

Published since 2003, the journal moved to Lippincott Williams & Wilkins earlier this year.  It continues on a quarterly publication schedule, in an online format.

Submit your paper online at http://ijebh.edmgr.com/

A car accident in a paddock in Omeo saw calls to local ambulance officers.

Fortunately, this was just a simulated scenario for Ambulance Community Support Officers in the rural and remote sector of East Gippsland as part of their training.

The Simulation Learning Environment Project Officer, Laurea Atkinson,  attended outreach visits to Mallacoota in May and Omeo in June with the Advanced Life Support Mannequin.

Paramedic Community Support Officers’ Terry Houge (Mallacoota) and Kerryn Wratt (Omeo) organise the simulation training sessions for the group.

A simulated car accident scenario in a paddock in Omeo was one training scenario. The session was organised by Kerryn Wratt and the ambulance community officers (ACOs) and policemen responded from Ensay, Swifts Creek and Omeo. The scenario involved seven simulated patients and required emergency care at the Omeo district hospital.

An extension of the orientation program involves training at the simulation education centre at Monash University School of Rural Health East Gippsland in Bairnsdale. The sessions are conducted over a three week period with combined training for ACOs from Mallacoota and Omeo.

The intensive “camp simulation” involves various clinical scenarios and management for the patient in the acute pre-hospital phase.

Delegation of women from Myanmar visiting SRH Mildura

A GROUP of women from Myanmar (Republic of the Union of Myanmar) hope the  information they gained from a visit to Mildura will help improve community health issues in their country.

The 19 senior representatives of Myanmar’s health sector were hosted for three days by Monash School of Rural Health Mildura.

Organised by the Monash Sustainability Institute, the 10-week visit to Victoria was funded by a range of organisations including the Australian and Myanmar Governments, and the United Nations.

The women have been to various Monash campuses including hospitals and rural health care facilities. Monash researchers are keen to learn about current issues in Myanmar community health while the Myanmar group is learning of Monash initiatives in community health and related areas.

The group included doctors, allied health professionals and representatives of non-government organisations (NGOs) with specific interests in maternal and child health.

According to the Head of the School of Rural Health Professor Judi Walker, maternal and child health, and HIV/AIDS present serious health issues in Myanmar.

‘However, mortality and serious illness can often be prevented through adoption of primary health care interventions,” Prof Walker said.

The first day in Mildura saw the visiting fellows tour the Mildura clinical school which included time in the simulation and women’s health training facilities. There was discussion on the role this equipment has in the education of medical students, junior doctors and allied health professionals. This equipment is not generally available in Myanmar and the chance to simulate various obstetric scenarios was a valuable learning opportunity for the delegates.

They also toured the Mildura Base Hospital and at dinner that night, spoke to local medical students about HIV/AIDS issues in Myanmar.

The evening, hosted by Associated Professor Ian Pettigrew, saw final year medical students from Monash University on placement in Mildura discuss differing healthcare perspectives and approaches to medical practice with members of the delegation. Areas of particular interest for students included the allocation of healthcare resources, access to medical treatment within rural Myanmar, and prevalence of infectious diseases, in particular the prevalence of HIV within Myanmar and means of disease prevention and management.

A highlight of the evening was a performance by the delegates of the traditional Myanmar Village Renewal dance. Performed in authentic Myanmar dress, the dance involved highly coordinated hand movements, highlighting the connection with cultural traditions and values that remain an important factor in their lives and work as healthcare professionals.

Mallee District Aboriginal Services (MDAS) hosted the group on the following day which included a visit to Coomealla Health Aboriginal Corporation. The final day saw a visit to the Robinvale Medical Clinic followed by a cruise on the River Murray.

Professor Walker said understanding the social context in which community health care was extended was as important as understanding conventional medical practice.

“Monash and Myanmar will establish an enduring collaborative relationship which is responsive to improved health outcomes,” she added.

Arrangements for the Myanmar visitors were organised by SRH Mildura’s Regional Manager,” Kendall Livingstone. “It was a pleasure to meet these outstanding women and we hope that one day some of them may return to Mildura for a follow-up visit,” she said.

Aged Care Health Professionals: Interprofessional Sim Family/Carer Clinic Project

The Interprofessional Simulation team at MUDRIH have included in their Extended Gippsland Regional Interprofessional Partnership in Simulation (EGRIPS) project  engaging with Yallambee, a Central Gippsland-based aged care facility.

This collaboration has resulted in the development and implementation of the Interprofessional Sim Family/Carer Clinic project. The project’s aim is to improve co-operation, collaboration, communication and teamwork between families/carers and aged care facility staff, from various disciplines, to deliver best practice outcomes for residents.

The clinics are facilitated by MUDRIH staff who are trained in delivering interprofessional collaborative practice through simulation. Five MUDRIH staff have also volunteered and been trained to act in the role of simulated family members.

To date, six case scenarios – based on de-identified real life situations – have been developed, focusing on known challenging areas, including dealing with dementia, managing difficult family members and cultural issues.

The first two of six scheduled Interprofessional Simulated Clinics commenced on 13th June at MUDRIH. The clinics require between two and four health professionals from a minimum of two different disciplines to participate in sessions of up to four hours duration. They include training on Interprofessional Collaborative Practice.

The desired outcome of these clinics is to ultimately improve resident care and family satisfaction. These simulated clinics provide training in a safer environment than on-the-job training with real residents and their family members, and promote better teamwork through developing problem solving skills and communication with other disciplines. They are also fun!

If you have any inquiries please contact Jenny Moloney, EGRIPS Project Manager.

This project was made possible through funding from Health Workforce Australia.

MUDRIH is based in Moe in the very building where the Monash School of Rural Health started more than 20 years ago.

The story is now part of the school’s history; the first office was in the cleaner’s cupboard of the old Moe Hospital. Today, the Monash University Department of Rural and Indigenous Health (MUDRIH) occupies a large section of the former hospital building.

MUDRIH has been involved in education prior to, and since becoming a Federal Government funded University Department of Rural Health. Teaching and learning remain a critical focus of the school’s activities.

Its teaching strengths include research methods; program evaluation; rural health practice; Indigenous health and cultural awareness; interprofessional collaboration; mental health; alcohol and other drugs; counselling; public health; and rural pharmacy.

Research also plays a significant role in MUDRIH’s activities. The school is responsible for supervising students throughout the school undertaking higher degrees by research including research masters and PhDs.

Research strengths are in: pharmacy; interprofessional education; simulation; cancer; Indigenous health; health services; aged care and carers; mental health; health workforce; and health and medical education.

The Indigenous Health team is focussed on improving the health of Indigenous Australians through a partnership approach across   multiple programs. MUDRIH encourages Indigenous Australians to undertake careers in the health sector and works in co-operation with other services and organisations toward this outcome. The collaboration between medical, nursing and allied health professionals is vital for good client/patient care. Interprofessional education at MUDRIH brings these professions together as students and practitioners to learn how to work as teams through the delivery of workshops, training and ongoing research

The Rural Pharmacy Program, funded by the Pharmacy Guild ofAustralia, is another of MUDRIH’s many effective collaborations, this one being between Monash University and the University of Melbourne. Its primary aims are to maintain and improve access to quality pharmacy services for rural and remote communities as well as increasing the total pharmacy workforce starting and staying in practice.

MUDRIH is committed to improving access to mental health services. Its work in this area aims to improve the capacity of non-mental health workers and other professionals to deal with mental health issues among clients and patients while also increasing awareness in the general community and mentoring and supervising students and practitioners. It runs a well-supported Gippsland Mental Health Vacation School each year. Staff also focus on research and evaluation in this area.

The Chronic Diseases Management (CDM) Node is one of more than 50 affiliates with the Joanna Briggs Institute at the University of Adelaide. CDM sees MUDRIH and the School of Nursing and Midwifery partner with Latrobe Regional Hospital and Latrobe Community Health Service to collaborate in chronic disease management research and clinical experience.

MUDRIH has worked in partnership with a number of Victorian Integrated Cancer Services to implement and evaluate supportive care into routine patient care and clinical practice.

It has also developed several partnerships to provide research and education that supports elderly Australians with positive ageing, supporting frail aged people to remain in their own homes as long as possible.

Penny's farewell cake

The Monash School of Rural Health  Research in Bendigo farewelled Dr Penny Buykx in June.

Penny has taken up a senior research position with the Alcohol Research Group at the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom.

To ease the transition, staff provided a cake with a map of the journey at a farewell dinner. On Penny’s last day, morning tea treats included Aussie “must-haves”…pavlova, lamingtons, Tim Tams and Mint Slices as well as Sheffield delicacies such as Parkin, Flapjacks and Eccles Cakes.

Penny will continue to maintain her links with the school through her alcohol research work conducted jointly with Dr Bernie Ward.

Wildfire Halfway Event in Mildura

The Wildfire Halfway Event in Mildura was the first of its kind organised by Wildfire in Mildura. Immediately following our mid-year exam, the Year 3 students headed down the Murray River on a very generous local consultant’s paddle steamer. After an enjoyable half hour trip up the river, and with no help from the student whose job it was to tie up the boat, we moored the boat and sat down for some lunch. Following some good unwinding time and chowing down on everything from flathead to chicken parmas to arancini balls, we headed back down the river to Mildura, stuffed to the brim and ready for a holiday.

The halfway event was a social event exemplifying the rural lifestyle and provided a focal point for celebrating making it half way through our lengthy degree. As medicine can be incredibly stressful sometimes, this provided an outlet for the students and a chance to thank the School of Rural Health Mildura staff for their hard work. It was also a rare occasion for students to ‘formally’ cease study for a short while.

16^th Ottawa Conference, Transforming Healthcare Through Excellence in Assessment and Evaluation

David Birks (Senior Lecturer at SRH Latrobe Valley & West Gippsland) joined around 2,000 other medical educationalists from around the world at this year’s Ottawa conference.

David presented a paper (co-authored by Dr Cathy Haigh and Professor Brian Jolly of the University of Newcastle) about their nine-year experience of MiniCase Records (MCRs) as an assessment tool for Monash medical students. The MCR is a variant of the miniCEX (mini Clinical Evaluation Exercise) which is used widely for trainee physicians around the world. The paper he presented was included in a session of six papers, four of which focussed on the miniCEX. Read the rest of this entry »

SimMom in Mildura Base Hospital’s birthing suite.

SimMom arrived by wheelchair at the Mildura Base Hospital’s birthing suites.

This most advanced obstetric simulation equipment was provided by the School of Rural Health Mildura to assist with the hospital’s second annual practical obstetric multi-professional training (PROMPT) session, held in April.

SimMom provided the hospital’s nurses, midwives, obstetricians and anaesthetists with in situ practical multi-professional training on the potential real life scenario of ‘cardiac arrest following local anaesthetic toxicity’ in a familiar working environment with real life equipment.

Fifteen participants received the training with the Intensive Care Unit and Midwifery Department working together for a successful outcome in the scenario.

The SimMom mannequin was purchased with funding from the Mallee Health Foundation and normally resides in her own purpose-built room at the School of Rural Health Mildura. This is the first time she has been off Monash grounds to simulate a real life obstetric emergency and will venture out a further three times before the end of the year.