ANZCTR search results

The aim of the present study is to examine the short and long term impacts of an online gatekeeper training program on measures of confidence in identifying and supporting someone having thoughts of suicide, attitudes towards suicide prevention, and knowledge of appropriate responses to signs of suicide. This training program comprises interactive learning modules with presentations, videos depicting interactions between a person experiencing thoughts of suicide and a helper, and a quiz to test the learner’s knowledge. The BDI program will be tested against the program QPR online in a non-inferiority trial. It is hypothesised that participants who complete the BDI online gatekeeper program will show an equivalent improvement from baseline to post-training and 3-month follow up on confidence in gatekeeper skills, attitudes towards suicide prevention, and knowledge of appropriate responses to signs of suicide.

This study will compare standard of care nasopharyngeal swab NAT results to the presence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies approximately 14 days after initial onset of symptoms in intermediate/high risk participants presenting to the Albury Wodonga Health Coronavirus Clinic.

Patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease (CVD) have been shown to have a higher mortality from COVID-19 than the general population. Early data from small case series suggests that cardiac complications such as acute cardiac injury, myocarditis and cardiomyopathy are common in patients with COVID-19. Given COVID-19 has become a pandemic, urgent data is required to better understand the cardiovascular sequelae of the infection as well as the effects of pre-existing CVD. The AUS-COVID registry will provide this time critical data needed by clinicians and health services to be better prepared to manage these patients.

Colonoscopy offers both a diagnostic and therapeutic tool in the early detection of colorectal cancer. The quality of bowel preparation significantly impacts the success of colonoscopy. Optimal bowel preparation leads to decreased procedure time and increased polyp detection rate. A suboptimal bowel preparation can result in small or flat lesions being missed, shortened surveillance times and need for multiple procedures. In addition, it results in increased technical difficulty and likelihood of complications. Factors shown to affect quality of bowel preparation include the type of solution chosen, administration or timing and the patient’s hydration status and diet. The ambient temperature can impact daily activities and as such we propose that this will also have an effect on the quality of bowel preparation. This trial performed secondary analysis of existing data collected as part of a previous prospective trial investigating the tolerability of bowel preparation in inflammatory bowel disease patients compared to the general population. Ambient temperature was recorded as the minimum and maximum temperature as documented by the local Bureau of Meteorology weather observation station on the day prior to the scheduled colonoscopy.

Anastomotic leakage (AL) is amongst the most significant complications of intestinal surgery and results in increased morbidity and mortality. Recent research has shown that certain species of E. coli and Pseudomonas have been associated with AL in colorectal anastomoses. These organisms produce collagenases and metalloproteinases that can break down a newly constructed and healing anastomosis. Much research has also gone into defining bacterial populations that are associated with pouchitis. Our project aims to describe the microbiological communities in the terminal ileum and rectum that will contribute to the ultimate ileal pouch microbiome. The future application of this information is to allow intervention for manipulation of the microbiome to more favourable microbial profiles prior to surgery, and thus reduce the leak rate and perhaps, in the long term, protect against the development of pouchitis and perianal disease.

The study aims to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a cognitive assessment tool for brain cancer patients. The study will examine if the tool is acceptable to patients and health professionals and could be included in routine health care practices. The study will also look at the relationship between cognitive decline in patients, hospital use, and the impact on caregivers. Who is it for? You may be eligible to join this study if you are aged 18 years or older and have been diagnosed with Brain cancer (Glioma/Glioblastoma) Study details This study will involve a questionnaire about cognitive function. Participants will write down their responses to the verbal questions. The questionnaire will be administered two or three times during the study at regular clinic visits. Carers can also answer questions about their experiences caring for someone with brain cancer. It is hoped this study can provide greater insight to the cognitive challenges of people with brain cancer and the experiences of their carers. The information gathered in this study will help inform future studies regarding the acceptability of the screening tools. Hypotheses: Hypothesis 1: Patients will report the ARCS tool is acceptable (i.e. over 75% of patients will report willingness to complete a similar test in the future), and will record assessment completion rates over 90% at both time-points. Hypothesis 2: A high proportion of participants (>60%) will show cognitive decline over time as measured by changes in ARCS scores between at least two measurement time points. Hypothesis 3: An ARCS score of or below 78 (-1.5 standard deviations below normative value) and subsequent decline between two measurement time points will be significantly associated with decreased survival at 6-months. Hypothesis 4: An ARCS score of or below 78 (-1.5 standard deviations below normative value) and subsequent decline between two measurement time points will be significantly associated with increased logistic odds of hospitalisation at 6-months. Hypothesis 5: An ARCS score of or below 78 (-1.5 standard deviations below normative value) and subsequent decline between two measurement time points will be significantly associated with survival at 6-months. Hypothesis 6: ARCS score of or below 78 at either time point will significantly correspond with caregiver burden as measured by the Zarit Burden Interview Short Version. This will be mediated by caregiver competency as measured by Caregiver Mastery Scale. Hypothesis 6: ARCS score of or below 78 at either time point will significantly correspond with caregiver burden as measured by using the Caregiver Reaction Assessment. This will be mediated by caregiver competency as measured by Caregiver Mastery Scale.

Since the first case reported in Wuhan city, China in December, 2019, COVID-19 has now become a pandemic issue and affected more than 1.5 million of people globally. On 23rd January, 2020, Chinese government implemented strict social isolation policy by locking down Wuhan city. Since then, COVID-19 outbreak has gradually been under control in China. However, a significant increase in incidence of COVID-19 occurred outside of China has made it a pandemic issue. More and more countries and cities adopted social isolation policy to ask their residents to stay at home for self-isolation and to maintain social distance in order to minimise disease transmission. On the other hand, this social isolation can also have psychological impacts such as anxiety and depression on the involved residents. The IMSOMNIA study will provide initial unique insights into the impact of social isolation on mental health and to identify the group of people requiring intervention.

Umbilical Cord Blood derived cells have the potential for use in the treatment of acute COVID-19 associated pneumonia which can lead to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). The capacity to obtain expanded, off the shelf, cord blood units, containing highly potent anti-inflammatory and immune-modulatory cells, will provide a therapeutic option for patients displaying a compromised respiratory system following COVID-19 infection, before the disease progresses to ARDS and death.

We herein propose a simple, achievable and safe method of assisting ventilation using a high throughput device, which can be operated without specific skills in ventilator management. The device is a modernised version of the Both Respirator created in 1939. A Modern commercial version has been FDA approved in the United States by Hayek Medical, but currently lacks Australian distribution. As advertised by Hayek Medical, a cuirass ventilator does not require skilled medical professionals. Our simplified device has also been designed to not require a skilled medical professional. Moreso, this device is specifically designed with simplified parts so it can be built quickly and easily in regional areas.

Obesity is the leading public health challenge in Australia. Approximately 3,300 patients who undergo elective surgery in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven Local Health District each year are obese.. This area does not currently offer a comprehensive multi-disciplinary weight management clinic. The waiting time for many patients with obesity booked for common operations is three months or longer. Losing weight and increasing cardio-respiratory fitness can improve aerobic capacity and physiological reserve. The majority of people routinely carry a ‘smart’ mobile phone. We will design, build, pilot, and evaluate a mobile application to provide patient-centered interactive health coaching specifically designed for patients with obesity who are waiting for surgery. Our hypothesis is that mobile health coaching via an app utilising the time that patients with obesity spend on surgical waiting lists will improve their health, fitness, and motivation at the time of operation.