Redefining the launch pad for leadership: dismantling barriers and increasing cooperation

'Learning' is the core business of higher education. Learning is required for self-development and for the development, and leadership, of others. We learn when we are challenged, although findings from neuroscience prove that unhealthy stress promotes activity in the limbic system of the brain and cognitive thinking, essential for learning, becomes impaired. Systems in Australian Higher Education were designed primarily by men who comprise 80% of senior leadership positions. Many processes are highly competitive, stimulating the release of adrenaline, testosterone and cortisol in men and women. Although short-term stress may enhance performance, long-term stress has consequences, including a negative impact on learning. The consequences affect not only the individual but all those who are influenced by that individual. Physiologically, women are more collaborative than men. This presentation will link findings from physiology, neuroscience, education, and leadership theories, to argue that we require new, collaborative approaches to lead Higher Education

Revisión sistemática de estudios clínicos sobre el consumo de cannabis con fines terapéuticos entre los años 2005-2015

La medicina en su continuo desarrollo se ha interesado por descubrir y utilizar substancias útiles para el cuerpo humano y el tratamiento de enfermedades. Desde hace años existe un debate en el campo de la ciencia en relación a la marihuana, el debate se sitúa entre quienes la consideran una planta con potenciales utilidades terapéuticas y quienes la consideran una droga de abuso. Método: Se revisaron 10 bases de datos con el fin de encontrar estudios clínicos con humanos, sobre los efectos de los aannabinoides, fitocannabinoides y cannabinoides sintéticos en distintas condiciones médicas. Resultados: 37 estudios fueron descritos, los estudios fueron analizados de acuerdo al país donde se realizaron, participantes, componentes y condición médica.Medicine in its continued development has been interested in discovering and utilizing useful substances for the human body and treating disease. For years now there is a debate in the field of science in relation to marijuana, the debate is between those who consider a plant with potential therapeutic utilities and those who consider it a drug of abuse. Method: 10 databases were reviewed in order to find human clinical studies on the effects of cannabinoids, phytocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids in various medical conditions. Results: 37 studies were described, studies were analyzed according to the country where they were made, participants, components and medical condition.Psicólogo (a)Pregrad

Mirabegron role in urolithiasis management: what you should know

El propósito de este trabajo fue desarrollar una revisión narrativa de la literatura describiendo la evidencia disponible sobre la eficacia del mirabegrón en tres escenarios: como terapia médica expulsiva, como tratamiento médico antes de la ureteroscopia para incrementar el acceso exitoso al cálculo, y en el manejo de los síntomas asociados con el uso de catéter doble J. Solo dos estudios originales han evaluado su uso como terapia médica expulsiva, con resultados contradictorios en términos de tasa de expulsión del cálculo; sin embargo, ambos demostraron mejor control del dolor en el grupo de mirabegrón. Un estudio aleatorizado multicéntrico encontró un aumento en el acceso exitoso al cálculo durante la ureteroscopia cuando el mirabegrón era administrado una semana antes del procedimiento. Adicionalmente, dos estudios aleatorizados controlados demostraron eficacia del medicamento para disminuir los síntomas relacionados con el catéter doble J. El uso del mirabegrón como parte del arsenal del tratamiento para urolitiasis tiene un rol prometedor, tanto en la terapia médica expulsiva como antes de la ureteroscopia, para aumentar la posibilidad de acceder exitosamente al cálculo, y en pacientes con catéter doble J, para disminuir los síntomas asociados. Sin embargo, se requiere estudios más grandes, prospectivos, doble ciegos y aleatorizados antes de que podamos utilizarlo con estos fines en un escenario clínico.The purpose of the present study was to develop a narrative review of the available evidence of mirabegron efficacy in three scenarios: as a medical expulsive therapy; as a medical treatment to increase a successful access to stones before ureteroscopy, and management of double-J stent-related symptoms. Only two original studies have evaluated its use as a medical expulsive therapy, with contradictory results in terms of stone expulsion rate; however, both demonstrated a better pain control in the mirabegron group. One randomized controlled trial (RCT) found a higher successful access to ureteral stones when mirabegron was administered 1 week before the ureteroscopy. And two RCTs demonstrated its efficacy in diminishing discomfort related with double-J stent. There is a promising role for the use of mirabegron in the arsenal of urolithiasis treatment, even as a medical expulsive therapy, before ureteroscopy surgery, to increase the successful access to the stones and after the placement of ureteral catheter to reduce the related symptoms. However, larger-scaled prospective double-blinded RCTs are needed before it can be used with these purposes in the clinical scenario

Establishing drug utilisation research in regional North Queensland.

[Extract] Quality Use of Medicines includes the safe and effective use of medicines, and is a core objective of the National Medicines Policy in Australia. Dispensing data are collected by a government agency (Medicare) for administrative purposes, for reimbursement of the pharmacy where the medicine was supplied. Prior to April 2012, dispensing data were limited to prescription medicines which exceeded the patient co-payment cost. A proof-of-concept was initiated by the primary author (Kairuz) to develop a comprehensive dataset of local dispensing records. Collaboration with Pudmenzky and Rossato led to the development of software to extract and de-identify dispensing data. A pilot study was conducted in collaboration with Fredericks in metropolitan South Queensland (Ethical approval UQ 2012000078)

Exploring access to medicines and pharmacy services for resettled refugees

Methods: Adhering to guidelines for systematic reviews by PRISMA, this review synthesised findings of research that explored the barriers and/or facilitators of access to medication and pharmacy services for resettled refugees. Databases were searched during March 2014 and included Scopus, ProQuest Sociological Abstracts, PubMed, Embase and APAIS Health. The Australian and International grey literature was also explored. Results: Out of 651 potentially relevant articles, 9 studies met quality and inclusion criteria. The research reported in 7 of the 9 studies was conducted in the United States, 1 was conducted in Australia and the other in the United Kingdom. The majority of studies focused on Southeast Asian refugees. Themes identified across the studies included language and the use of interpreters; navigating the Western healthcare system; culture and illness beliefs; medication non-adherence; use of traditional medicine; and family, peer and community support. Discussion: The difficulties that resettled refugees experience in accessing primary healthcare services have been widely documented. In most developed countries, pharmacists are often the first healthcare professional contacted by consumers; however, the ability of refugees to access community pharmacy and medication may be limited. This review indicates a significant paucity of published research exploring barriers to medication and pharmacy services among this vulnerable population. Findings from the international literature suggest that refugees experience barriers to medication access, including language and cultural barriers, and experience difficulties navigating the pharmacy healthcare system. This review highlights the need for appropriate interpreting and translation services, as well as pharmacists demonstrating effective cross-cultural communication skills

Innovating medication reviews through a technology-enabled process

Medication reviews are effective in improving the quality of medication use among older people. However, they are conducted to various standards resulting in a wide range of outcomes which limit generalisability of findings arising from research studies. There also appear to be funding and time constraints, lack of data storage for quality improvement purposes, and non-standardised reporting of outcomes, especially clinically relevant outcomes. Furthermore, the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has restricted many face-to-face activities, including medication reviews. This article introduces a technology-enabled approach to medication reviews that may overcome some limitations with current medication review processes, and also make it possible to conduct medication reviews during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing an alternate platform. The possible advantages of this technology-enabled approach, legislative considerations and possible implementation in practice are discussed

Current and Potential Roles in Sports Pharmacy: A Systematic Review

(1) Background: The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate current and potential roles for pharmacists in sports medicine and to identify key themes in outcomes reported in studies. (2) Methods: EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus and the Cochrane Library were searched in January 2019. Peer-reviewed, original research articles were considered for inclusion. Articles published in a language other than English were excluded. Quality appraisal was performed independently by two authors. (3) Results: Findings of 11 eligible articles (10 observational and 1 experimental study design) were grouped into three themes: (i) doping prevention and control, (ii) injury management and first aid, and (iii) educational and curricular needs. Pharmacists were perceived as a good potential source of information about doping and are enthusiastic about counseling athletes, but lack knowledge and confidence in this area. While pharmacists were frequently consulted for advice on managing sprains and strains, their advice was not always guided by current evidence. Pharmacists and pharmacy students recalled limited opportunity for education in sports pharmacy. (4) Conclusion: Pharmacists showed a willingness and an aptitude to counsel athletes. However, lack of knowledge and confidence, and limited educational opportunities, were key barriers. More research is necessary to support pharmacists in this role

Use of Prescription Medicines Among Older People

The findings of this study, conducted in 2004, laid the foundation for subsequent research about the use of medicines among older people within the Auckland region of New Zealand. This manuscript includes references relevant at the time of study while recent population statistics, government initiatives and developments are summarized in this forward, providing an updated introduction to the findings from the 2004 pilot study. Tools developed and used in this study were further refined and adapted and subsequently used in a medicines management service piloted by HealthWest Primary Health Organisation in Auckland New Zealand study. These studies informed the business case for funding of a new Medicine Management Service (Medicine Use Review and Adherence Support Service) in the Waitemata District in New Zealand