issue 32, sept 2015 - eastern health

ALLIED HEALTH RESEARCH NEWS

ISSUE 32 SEPT 2015

Allied Health Research News

A Research

Newsletter for

Allied Health

Clinicians

Inside this issue:

EH making a splash at allied health conferences

2

EH/La Trobe partnership boosts allied health research funding

3

Risk factors for foot pathology in dialysis patients

4

AH Research Achievements

6

Research Spider survey coming soon

6

Have you discovered ResearchGate?

5

New statistical consulting service for Eastern Health

5

Contact us 6

This November the National Allied Health Conference comes to the Crown Convention Centre in

Melbourne.

With a mixture of dynamic international and local expert speakers, the 11th National Allied Health Conference will bring together both allied health therapy and science professions for the first time. Under the theme “Allied Health: Front and Centre”, the conference will canvas the current and emerging issues that shape allied health in best patient- and community-centred care now, and

in to the future.

With the conference this year right in our own back yard, it is great to see that Eastern Health clinicians and managers have stepped up to showcase their work, with 11 oral presentations and 5 posters from

around the network.

Representatives from Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech Pathology, Social Work, Dietetics and the Allied Health Research

Office will be presenting on a diverse range of topics spanning service re-design, professional development and clinical care

(see page 2 for details).

Congratulations to all our

Eastern Health presenters!

National Allied Health ConferenceNational Allied Health ConferenceNational Allied Health ConferenceNational Allied Health Conference

9-11th November

Registrations now openRegistrations now openRegistrations now openRegistrations now open

at the

11th National

Allied Health

Conference November 9-11th 2015

Making a SplashSplashSplashSplash Eastern Health

ALLIED HEALTH RESEARCH NEWS JUNE 2015

Eastern Health Making a Splash

11th National Allied Health Conference

Oral Presentations:Oral Presentations:Oral Presentations:Oral Presentations:

∗ Glenda Kerridge (SW) Glenda Kerridge (SW) Glenda Kerridge (SW) Glenda Kerridge (SW) Social work and interdisciplinary practice: Evidence from a multi-site audit

∗ Jo Brady (SP) Jo Brady (SP) Jo Brady (SP) Jo Brady (SP) Ensuring quality documentation practice - a review of allied health practice

∗ Sharon Downie (OT) Sharon Downie (OT) Sharon Downie (OT) Sharon Downie (OT) Extended scope models of allied health assistant practice & the impact of organisational culture

∗ Jude Boyd (OT) Jude Boyd (OT) Jude Boyd (OT) Jude Boyd (OT) Challenging the Monday to Friday workforce: Evaluation of an innovative 7 day occupational therapy and physiotherapy service in the acute setting

∗ Stephanie Tawse (OT) Stephanie Tawse (OT) Stephanie Tawse (OT) Stephanie Tawse (OT) Hand therapy led clinics - first point of contact management following hand surgery

∗ Anna Joy (OT) Anna Joy (OT) Anna Joy (OT) Anna Joy (OT) Grade two occupational therapy rotations: Service delivery impact and clinician perspectives

∗ Dave Snowdon (PT) Dave Snowdon (PT) Dave Snowdon (PT) Dave Snowdon (PT) Effectiveness of clinical supervision of allied health professionals: A survey Katherine Harding (AH Research Office) Katherine Harding (AH Research Office) Katherine Harding (AH Research Office) Katherine Harding (AH Research Office) Specific Timely Appointments for Triage (STAT) Reduced waiting lists in an outpatient physiotherapy service

∗ Nick Taylor (AH Research Office) Nick Taylor (AH Research Office) Nick Taylor (AH Research Office) Nick Taylor (AH Research Office) Stepping into Research: An allied health research training scheme

∗ Jorja Collins (Diet) Jorja Collins (Diet) Jorja Collins (Diet) Jorja Collins (Diet) What's going on here? Factors influencing the implementation of a hospital nutrition intervention

Poster Presenters:Poster Presenters:Poster Presenters:Poster Presenters:

∗ Judi Porter (Dietetics) Judi Porter (Dietetics) Judi Porter (Dietetics) Judi Porter (Dietetics) Negative mealtime interruptions in hospitals: Findings of a series of observational studies

∗ Glenda Kerridge (SW) Glenda Kerridge (SW) Glenda Kerridge (SW) Glenda Kerridge (SW) Illuminating redesign through shadowing

∗ Jo Brady (SP) Jo Brady (SP) Jo Brady (SP) Jo Brady (SP) Clinical prioritisation tools- to use or not to use?

∗ Chris Stone (SP) Chris Stone (SP) Chris Stone (SP) Chris Stone (SP) Every patient ... every interaction ... every time. Redefining the therapeutic principle to maximise inter-professional practice & patient

∗ Tom Gauci (SP) Tom Gauci (SP) Tom Gauci (SP) Tom Gauci (SP) Developing the role of speech pathology in palliative & supportive care

∗ Tass Kostopoulos (SW) Tass Kostopoulos (SW) Tass Kostopoulos (SW) Tass Kostopoulos (SW) Reaching for the stars - a social work development and leadership program

Eastern health physios flying the flag for Eastern Health at the upcoming Australian Physio-therapy Association National

Conference on the Gold Coast:

∗ Jason Wallis: Jason Wallis: Jason Wallis: Jason Wallis: The maximum tolerated dose of walking for people with severe osteoarthritis of the knee: a

phase I trial

∗ Sulakshana Balachandran: Sulakshana Balachandran: Sulakshana Balachandran: Sulakshana Balachandran: Sternal micromotion following cardiac surgery: a 3-month prospective, observational

study

∗ Amy Dennett: Amy Dennett: Amy Dennett: Amy Dennett: Machines that go ping• may improve balance but may not improve mobility or reduce risk of falls:

a systematic review

Allied Health from Eastern Health are also on the program for the Stroke 2015

Conference in Melbourne, this September.

∗ Julie Smith: Julie Smith: Julie Smith: Julie Smith: Early Supported Discharge: A rapid and intensive community based alternative to the traditional inpatient rehabilitation model for stroke survivors

(oral)

∗ Lynda Power: Lynda Power: Lynda Power: Lynda Power: The experience of Early Support Discharge for Stroke Survivors (oral)

∗ Kylie Smith & Sara WhittakerKylie Smith & Sara WhittakerKylie Smith & Sara WhittakerKylie Smith & Sara Whittaker: The successful implementation of a Saebo-flex

program to optimise upper limb motor recovery following stroke. (poster)

∗ Alicia Morris & Anna JoyAlicia Morris & Anna JoyAlicia Morris & Anna JoyAlicia Morris & Anna Joy: Sexuality After Stroke – What are we doing? Evaluating

current practice as a metropolitan health service (poster)

∗ Karen Salter & Amie Musovic: Karen Salter & Amie Musovic: Karen Salter & Amie Musovic: Karen Salter & Amie Musovic: In the first 3 months after stroke is progressive

resistance training safe? (poster)

La Trobe University PhD

Student Show case

Eastern Health was well represented at the PhD showcase held at La Trobe University on 3rd September 2015. The event was organised by the Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Research Focus Area at La Trobe and featured

posters form 33 PhD students. Eastern Health PhD students and alumni included

Jason WallisJason WallisJason WallisJason Wallis, Kylee LockwoodKylee LockwoodKylee LockwoodKylee Lockwood, Amy DennettAmy DennettAmy DennettAmy Dennett, Kate Lawler Kate Lawler Kate Lawler Kate Lawler and

Imogen ClarkImogen ClarkImogen ClarkImogen Clark.

Combined 26th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Stroke Society of Australasia and 11th Australasian Nursing & Allied Health Stroke Conference SMART STROKES


Eastern Health/La Trobe University PartnershipEastern Health/La Trobe University PartnershipEastern Health/La Trobe University PartnershipEastern Health/La Trobe University Partnership provides new boost for Allied Health Researchprovides new boost for Allied Health Researchprovides new boost for Allied Health Researchprovides new boost for Allied Health Research

The Allied Health Clinical The Allied Health Clinical The Allied Health Clinical The Allied Health Clinical Research Office will soon Research Office will soon Research Office will soon Research Office will soon receive a welcome boost to receive a welcome boost to receive a welcome boost to receive a welcome boost to support Allied Health research support Allied Health research support Allied Health research support Allied Health research at Eastern Health, thanks to a at Eastern Health, thanks to a at Eastern Health, thanks to a at Eastern Health, thanks to a successful application for a successful application for a successful application for a successful application for a La Trobe University Sport, La Trobe University Sport, La Trobe University Sport, La Trobe University Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Exercise and Rehabilitation Exercise and Rehabilitation Exercise and Rehabilitation Research Focus Area grant Research Focus Area grant Research Focus Area grant Research Focus Area grant

(LASER RFA).(LASER RFA).(LASER RFA).(LASER RFA).

The RFA Grant program is The RFA Grant program is The RFA Grant program is The RFA Grant program is designed to bring together designed to bring together designed to bring together designed to bring together industry partners. The industry partners. The industry partners. The industry partners. The success of this grant has been success of this grant has been success of this grant has been success of this grant has been made possible by made possible by made possible by made possible by contributions from the contributions from the contributions from the contributions from the Eastern Health Foundation Eastern Health Foundation Eastern Health Foundation Eastern Health Foundation and the Eastern Health Office and the Eastern Health Office and the Eastern Health Office and the Eastern Health Office of Research and Ethics, of Research and Ethics, of Research and Ethics, of Research and Ethics, resulting in $100,000 in resulting in $100,000 in resulting in $100,000 in resulting in $100,000 in research funding being research funding being research funding being research funding being received from La Trobe received from La Trobe received from La Trobe received from La Trobe University to support three University to support three University to support three University to support three different but related research different but related research different but related research different but related research projects as part of a program projects as part of a program projects as part of a program projects as part of a program to improve outcomes after to improve outcomes after to improve outcomes after to improve outcomes after

rehabilitation.rehabilitation.rehabilitation.rehabilitation.

Project 1:Project 1:Project 1:Project 1: Improving physical Improving physical Improving physical Improving physical activity and physical functioning activity and physical functioning activity and physical functioning activity and physical functioning for people living in the community for people living in the community for people living in the community for people living in the community

after hip fractureafter hip fractureafter hip fractureafter hip fracture

Everyday 40 Australians break their hip, and many have poor outcomes and very low levels of activity. However, we do not know how physically active people recovering from hip fracture should be, and how much difference increasing physical

activity makes to outcomes.

This project comprises 2 studies: an observational study (n=60) to measure the optimal level of physical activity after hip fracture; and, a randomised controlled trial (n=68) to investigate the effect of implementing this optimum level of physical activity on clinical and health service outcomes in this

group.

Project 2:Project 2:Project 2:Project 2: Reducing falls and re-Reducing falls and re-Reducing falls and re-Reducing falls and re-admissions for people living in the admissions for people living in the admissions for people living in the admissions for people living in the

community after hip fracturecommunity after hip fracturecommunity after hip fracturecommunity after hip fracture

Prior to discharge from hospital, Occupational therapists often take patients home for a short visit prior to discharge from hospital to assess their ability to manage at home and to facilitate a safe and successful

discharge from hospital.

Home visits are likely to be relevant and useful in the management of patients following

hip fracture, but are also time consuming and currently less than half of the patients discharged from Eastern Health following hip fracture receive a home visit. There is limited evidence regarding their effectiveness and the decision to complete a home visit can be policy driven, influenced by staffing levels and reliant on clinical background and expertise of the individual occupational

therapists.

The aim of this project is to examine the cost effectiveness of pre-discharge home visits by occupational therapists in reducing falls and preventing re-admissions to hospital in people discharged home following hip

fracture.

Project 3:Project 3:Project 3:Project 3: Exercise and Exercise and Exercise and Exercise and

rehabilitation for cancer survivorsrehabilitation for cancer survivorsrehabilitation for cancer survivorsrehabilitation for cancer survivors

Cancer is the leading burden of disease in Australia, accounting for 3 in 10 deaths. With improving survivorship rates and an ageing population, cancer is now recognised as a chronic disease. Treatment is effective in improving survival, but it is often associated with pronounced side effects affecting patients’ physical and psychological wellbeing and

reducing their quality of life.

This project will identify and describe oncology rehabilitation programs nationwide, and determine a safe, optimal dose of exercise that can be prescribed for

patients with cancer.

Expressions of InterestExpressions of InterestExpressions of InterestExpressions of Interest

Opportunities will be available for people interested in working on these projects over the next two years. Two part time positions will be advertised internally for Project Officers/Research Assistants on eMercury in due course. In the interim, interested clinicians are also welcome to email Katherine

Harding or Nick Taylor with expressions of interest.


ALLIED HEALTH RESEARCH CLINICSALLIED HEALTH RESEARCH CLINICSALLIED HEALTH RESEARCH CLINICSALLIED HEALTH RESEARCH CLINICS

2015 Research Clinic Dates2015 Research Clinic Dates2015 Research Clinic Dates2015 Research Clinic Dates————10101010----11.30am 11.30am 11.30am 11.30am

ThursdaysThursdaysThursdaysThursdays

To make a booking please contact: To make a booking please contact: To make a booking please contact: To make a booking please contact:

[email protected]@easternhealth.org.auKatherine.harding@[email protected]

Date Site

October 15th PJC

November 19th Maroondah Hospital

December 17th Box Hill

Risk factors for foot pathology in patients with end Risk factors for foot pathology in patients with end Risk factors for foot pathology in patients with end Risk factors for foot pathology in patients with end stage renal diseasestage renal diseasestage renal diseasestage renal disease Michelle Kaminski has been a Podiatrist at Eastern Health for nearly six years, and is currently in the third year of her PhD at La Trobe University. Her thesis is focusing on the risk factors for foot ulceration in adults with end-stage

renal disease on dialysis.

Michelle started her work with a systematic review including 30 studies (48 566 participants) which quantified the major risk factors for foot ulceration and lower extremity amputation in adults on dialysis. The review concluded that previous foot ulceration or amputation, peripheral neuropathy, diabetes and macrovascular disease were associated with markedly higher risks of ulceration or amputation. The review also identified key deficiencies in the current evidence; the majority of existing studies were underpowered, failed to adjust for potential confounding variables and did not encompass a

full range of risk factors.

Michelle has now gone on to commence a multi-centre prospective observational cohort study with a 12-month follow-up. Baseline data has been collected from 450 adults from Eastern Health, Austin Health and Monash Health with end-stage renal disease who were on dialysis from satellite and home-therapy dialysis units between January 2014 and December 2014. Data collection at baseline consisted of a participant interview, medical record review, completion of a health-status questionnaire and a non-invasive

foot assessment. Neurological, arterial, biomechanical, footwear, and dermatological foot assessments were performed. Previous or current foot ulceration and/or amputation, foot health care behaviours and podiatry attendance were also examined. A subgroup of twenty participants also participated in a reliability study, which showed the testing procedure to be exceptionally reliable with the dialysis

population.

Baseline data has been analysed as a cross-sectional observational study and shows a high prevalence of foot ulcera-tion (10.0%) and amputation (10.2%) in this population, in addition to neuropathy (50.7%), peripheral arterial disease (52.4%), arterial calcification (40.9%), limited range of motion in the first metatarsophalangeal joint (93.6%), foot deformity (75.8%), and skin and nail pathology (87.8% and 70.9%, respectively). Poor/ill-fitting footwear (66%) and poor foot health care behaviours (30.2%) are also

common.

Michelle is continuing to follow up this cohort over 12 months, and data collection is ongoing. The primary outcome measure is new foot ulcer(s) during the follow up period, with secondary outcomes including time to onset of new foot ulcer(s), new lower extremity amputation(s), episodes of infection, osteomyelitis, foot-related hospitalisations, revascularisation procedure(s) of the lower extremity, new podiatry interventions, kidney transplantation, and mortality. Statistical analysis will be used to assess predictors of new foot ulceration and time to event secondary

outcomes.

This is the first multi-centre prospective observational cohort study to investigate risk factors for foot ulceration in adults with end-stage renal disease on dialysis. The results will provide high-level evidence for risk factors contributing to the development of foot ulceration in the dialysis population. The identi-fication of potentially modifiable risk factors can inform the design of future trials investigating the effectiveness of clinical interventions to reduce the burden of lower limb

disease in adults on dialysis.

Michelle has been supported in her studies by A/Prof Karl Landorf and Dr Anita Raspovic from the Discipline of Podiatry and Lower Extremity and Gait Studies Program at La Trobe University and Prof Lawrence McMahon from the Departments of Renal Medicine & Obstetric Medicine

at Eastern Health.

Michelle Kaminski, EH Podiatrist

and PhD candidate.

Do you have a project idea or research question to discuss? Come along to one of Do you have a project idea or research question to discuss? Come along to one of Do you have a project idea or research question to discuss? Come along to one of Do you have a project idea or research question to discuss? Come along to one of


Have you discovered Have you discovered Have you discovered Have you discovered

Research Gate?Research Gate?Research Gate?Research Gate? A social networking A social networking A social networking A social networking

platform for researchersplatform for researchersplatform for researchersplatform for researchers

Recently described by the Huffington Post as “Facebook for Scientists”, Research Gate is a social networking platform that aims to connect scientists and researchers and speed up the flow of

information.

The site was founded in 2008 by physicians Dr. Ijad Madisch and Dr. Sören Hofmayer, and computer scientist Horst Fickenscher and today has more than 7 million members. The developers describe the mission of ResearchGate as “to connect researchers and make it easy for them to share and

access scientific output, knowledge, and expertise.”

So what can ResearchGate do for you? So what can ResearchGate do for you? So what can ResearchGate do for you? So what can ResearchGate do for you?

There are a lot of professional networking platforms out there, and deciding just where it is worth investing your online connection time can be tricky. No one wants to be bombarded with thousands of meaningless emails. However, if you are an active researcher or thinking about getting more involved in research in the future, ResearchGate can be a useful tool. Here are a few of the features that ResearchGate

has to offer:

∗ ResearchGate is freeResearchGate is freeResearchGate is freeResearchGate is free to sign up to and widely used by the research community around the

world

∗ You can share your publicationsshare your publicationsshare your publicationsshare your publications————ResearchGate will automatically search for and find papers you have published, and you can upload additional papers manually. This helps to make your research more accessible to others, and can also be another way that you can get access to

papers that may not be freely available online.

∗ You can access stats access stats access stats access stats telling you who is viewing and downloading your publications, and how

often they have been cited.

∗ You can connect with other researchers connect with other researchers connect with other researchers connect with other researchers or colleagues with similar interests, by following

others and collecting followers of your own.

∗ ResearchGate also provides the opportunity to pose questionspose questionspose questionspose questions, allowing you to use the resources available from being part of an online

network to find solutions to problems.

www.researchgate.netwww.researchgate.netwww.researchgate.netwww.researchgate.net

Eastern Health Research

Forum The 2015 Research Forum will be held at

Wantirna Health on

Thursday 3 December 2015

8.30am – 1.00pm

Everyone is welcome to attend.

Please note that abstract submissions have now closed

New Statistical New Statistical New Statistical New Statistical Consulting Consulting Consulting Consulting Service for Service for Service for Service for

Eastern HealthEastern HealthEastern HealthEastern Health Due to a generous donation from an Eastern Health Benefactor a Statistical Consulting Service

is now available to Eastern Health.

Support is available one day per week to

Eastern Health staff and students to assist with:

• Design of experiments and studies,

including sample size calculations

• Guidance in setting up of spreadsheets for

data entry

• Statistical analysis of data

• Advice on presentation of statistical results,

including graphics, for posters, presentations and papers

• Assistance with statistical aspects of Ethics

and Grant Applications, including sample sizes

• Clarification of statistical sections of journal

papers

Further information is available at http://www.easternhealth.org.au/research-ethics/

statistical-consulting-service.

Enquiries can be sent to

[email protected]

PublicationsPublicationsPublicationsPublications

Sarah Dallimore and Michelle Kaminski (Podiatry)Sarah Dallimore and Michelle Kaminski (Podiatry)Sarah Dallimore and Michelle Kaminski (Podiatry)Sarah Dallimore and Michelle Kaminski (Podiatry)

∗ Dallimore SDallimore SDallimore SDallimore S, Kaminski MRKaminski MRKaminski MRKaminski MR: Tendon lengthening and fascia release for healing and preventing diabetic foot ulcers: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Foot Ankle Res

2015, 8:33 (30th July 2015).

∗ Kaminski MRKaminski MRKaminski MRKaminski MR, Raspovic A, McMahon LP, Strippoli GFM, Palmer SC, Ruospo M, Dallimore SDallimore SDallimore SDallimore S, Landorf KB: Risk fac-tors for foot ulceration and lower extremity amputation in adults with end-stage renal disease on dialysis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nephrol Dial

Transplant. 2015; 30(10):1747-66.

∗ Kaminski MRKaminski MRKaminski MRKaminski MR, Raspovic A, McMahon LP, Erbas B and

Landorf KB: Risk factors for foot ulceration in adults with

end-stage renal disease on dialysis: study protocol for a

prospective observational cohort study. J Foot Ankle Res

2015, 8:53 (18 September 2015).

Judi Porter (Dietetics)Judi Porter (Dietetics)Judi Porter (Dietetics)Judi Porter (Dietetics)

Porter J, Wilton A, Collins J. Mealtime interruptions, assistance and nutritional intake in subacute care. Australian Health

Review (in press)

Ella Ottrey and Judi Porter (Dietetics)Ella Ottrey and Judi Porter (Dietetics)Ella Ottrey and Judi Porter (Dietetics)Ella Ottrey and Judi Porter (Dietetics)

Hospital menu interventions: A systematic review of research. International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance (in

press).

Sarah Davenport (Physiotherapy)Sarah Davenport (Physiotherapy)Sarah Davenport (Physiotherapy)Sarah Davenport (Physiotherapy)

Davenport SJ, Arnold M, Hua C, Schenck A, Batten S, Taylor NF. Physical Activity Levels During Acute Inpatient Admission

After Hip Fracture are Very Low. Physiother Res Int 2014.

Megan Snowdon (Physiotherapy)Megan Snowdon (Physiotherapy)Megan Snowdon (Physiotherapy)Megan Snowdon (Physiotherapy)

Snowdon M, Peiris C. Physiotherapy commenced within the first four weeks post spinal surgery is safe and effective: a systematic review and meta-analysis Archives of Physical

Medicine and Rehabilitation (in press).

Allied Health Staff Research

Achievements


How to contact us

Nick Taylor

Katherine Harding

Jason Wallis (PT)

Alison Wilby (Psych)

Anne Thompson (ACS)

Michelle Kaminski (Pod)

Judi Porter (Dietetics)

Euan Donley (Mental Hth)

Lauren Lynch (SP)

Anna Joy (OT)

Glenda Kerridge (SW)

Your Allied Health Research CommitteeYour Allied Health Research CommitteeYour Allied Health Research CommitteeYour Allied Health Research Committee

Eastern Health Allied Health Clinical Research Office Telephone: 9091 8880 [email protected] [email protected].

Watch out for the Research

Spider!

The “Research Spider” survey of research interest, confidence and experience will be distributed amongst allied health clinicians working in acute, sub acute, ambulatory and community health settings at Eastern Health in early

October.

The project aims to compare the results of the planned 2015 survey with similar data collected in 2007, prior to a range of initiatives being introduced to increase research capacity and opportunities for

interested clinicians.

The surveys will be distributed at staff meetings. We would really appreciate your support in completing the surveys and look forward to sharing the results in a

future edition of this newsletter.

issue 32, sept 2015 - eastern health

Documents