Variation in symptoms of depression and anxiety in midlife women by menopausal status

Objectives To examine the association between menopausal status and the risk of symptoms of depression and anxiety in a community-based sample of Australian midlife women. Study design Female participants (mean age 50.6 - 1.5) who were premenopausal (n = 237), perimenopausal (n = 249) or naturally postmenopausal (n = 225) were drawn from the Personality and Total Health (PATH) Through Life Project, a longitudinal study. Main outcome measures Symptoms of depression and anxiety were measured using the Goldberg Depression Scale and Goldberg Anxiety Scale. Generalised linear regression models with a negative binomial log link were used. Results Relative to premenopause and after adjusting for all relevant covariates, being perimenopausal was associated with increased risk of greater symptoms of depression (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.29, p = 0.001), while being postmenopausal was associated with increased risk of greater symptoms of anxiety (IRR = 1.15, p = 0.041). Being perimenopausal or postmenopausal was associated with an increased risk of greater symptoms of depression (IRR = 1.35, p = 0.008; IRR = 1.31, p = 0.029) and anxiety (IRR = 1.22, p = 0.030; IRR = 1.32, p = 0.006) in women without a history of probable major depressive disorder or generalised anxiety disorder. Risk of symptoms did not differ with menopausal status in women with this history. Conclusions Menopausal status is associated with the risk of symptoms of depression and anxiety. There is a greater likelihood of increased symptoms of depression during perimenopause and symptoms of anxiety during postmenopause. In women without a history of depression or anxiety, the perimenopause and postmenopausal stages are associated with increased risk of greater symptoms of anxiety and depression relative to premenopause.This study was supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia [grant numbers 973302, 179805, 157125]. SM is funded by the Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship. KJA is funded by NHMRC Research Fellowship [number 1002560]. KJA and RA are funded by the Australian Research Council [number CE110001029]

Pharmacists' Perspectives on the Use of My Health Record

Background: My Health Record (MHR) is a relatively new nationwide Australian digitalhealth record system accessible by patients and a range of healthcare professionals. Pharmacists willbe key contributors and users of the MHR system, yet little is known about the perceived barriers andbenefits of use. (2) Objective: To explore pharmacists’ perspectives related to potential benefits andbarriers associated with use of MHR. (3) Methods: An online survey was developed and face-validated.The survey was advertised to Australian pharmacists on pharmacy professional bodies’ websites. Thiswas a cross-sectional study using an anonymous questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used todescribe the distribution of the data. Chi-square, Kendall’s tau coefficient (tau-c) and Kruskal–Wallistests were used to examine the relationships where appropriate. (4) Results: A total of 63 pharmacistscompleted the survey. The majority of respondents worked in a metropolitan area (74%), and themost common workplace setting was community pharmacy (65%). Perceived benefits identifiedby responders include that the use of MHR would help with continuity of care (90%), and that itwould improve the safety (71%) and quality (75%) of care they provided. Importantly, more thanhalf of pharmacists surveyed agreed that MHR could reduce medication errors during dispensing(57%) and could improve professional relationships with patients (57%) and general practitioners(59%). Potential barriers identified by pharmacists included patients’ concerns about privacy (81%),pharmacists’ own concern about privacy (46%), lack of training, access to and confidence in using thesystem. Sixty six percent of respondents had concerns about the accuracy of information containedwithin MHR, particularly among hospital and general practice pharmacists (p = 0.016) and almosthalf (44%) had concerns about the security of information in the system, mainly pharmacists workingat general practice and providing medication review services (p= 0.007). Overall satisfaction withMHR varied, with 48% satisfied, 33% neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, and 19% dissatisfied, witha higher satisfaction rate among younger pharmacists (p = 0.032). (5) Conclusions: Pharmacistsconsidered that the MHR offered key potential benefits, notably improving the safety and quality ofcare provided. To optimize the use of MHR, there is a need to improve privacy and data securitymeasures, and to ensure adequate provision of user support and education surrounding the ability tointegrate use of MHR with existing workflows and software

A pilot study of an intergenerational program for people in residential aged care with cognitive impairment and children from a co-located early learning centre during COVID-19

Intergenerational programs in residential aged care may improve well-being and combat loneliness and social isolation in older people with cognitive impairment. This pilot study investigated the effects of a semi-structured intergenerational group, including children from a co-located early learning centre and people living in residential aged care with cognitive impairment. This 9-week study used a mixed methods pre- and post-program design. Sessions were designed and delivered once per week by Occupational Therapists and took into account residents’ interests and children’s developmental needs and interests, identified in pre-program interviews. Nine older people with cognitive impairment and 13 children participated. The program was well attended despite disruptions and complications caused by COVID-19 and weather conditions. Older people valued the opportunity to engage with the children. Children were observed to gain confidence in communicating and forming friendships with older people with different levels of ability. There did not appear to be any change in loneliness or neuropsychiatric symptoms. The intergenerational program benefited participants and received strong support from family members and staff of the early learning centre and aged care home

Supplemental Material - A pilot study of an intergenerational program for people in residential aged care with cognitive impairment and children from a co-located early learning centre during COVID-19

Supplemental Material for A pilot study of an intergenerational program for people in residential aged care with cognitive impairment and children from a co-located early learning centre during COVID-19 by Nathan M D’Cunha, Helen Holloway, Breanna Cave, Stephanie Mulhall, Annaliese Blair, Katrina Anderson, Daniela Castro De Jong, Susan Kurrle and Stephen Isbel in Dementia</p