Rural, regional and remote health: indicators of health status and determinants of health (AIHW)

This report (released today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare) focuses on a comprehensive range of health issues concerning people living in rural, regional and remote Australia. It includes information relating to health status (such as rates of chronic disease, injury and mental health) and determinants of health (such as tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, nutrition and physical activity) and is the 9th report in the AIHW's Rural health series. Internet Only.
Link :

http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/10519

Social justice report 2007 Tom Calma, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner

Amending the Northern Territory intervention legislation to maximise protection of children from abuse while ensuring the basic human rights of Indigenous people are protected is one of the major elements of a ten-point plan to tackle family violence and child abuse in Indigenous communities.

http://www.hreoc.gov.au/social_justice/sj_report/sjreport07/index.html

Work, Life and Time

Barbara Pocock, Natalie Skinner and Philippa Williams. Work-life in Australia: Outcomes from the Australian Work and Life Index (AWALI) 2007
More and more Australians are participating in paid work for longer over their life-cycles. Women are increasingly contributing to paid work. Putting more time and effort into paid work, however, has important implications beyond the workplace: it affects personal, household and community well-being and health. It affects the nature and quality of care for those who rely on workers or live in their households, and it affects fertility.
See: http://www.unisa.edu.au/hawkeinstitute/cwl/publications.asp

The Good Indicators Guide: Understanding how to use and choose indicators

This NHS guide is intended to be a short, practical resource for anyone in any health system who is responsible for using indicators to monitor and improve performance, systems or outcomes.

http://www.apho.org.uk/resource/item.aspx?RID=44584

Hospital waiting lists explained

This background note provides an introduction to elective surgery waiting lists and times. It presents a brief overview of public hospitals in Australia, defines elective surgery and waiting times, explains the purpose of waiting lists/times and triage categories, and provides details of elective surgery statistics.

http://www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/bn/2007-08/Hospital_waiting_lists.htm

NHMRC grants

Capacity Building Grants in Population Health Research

A call for applications will open on 12-4-08 and close on 30-6-08.

The CIAP Newsletter for March

The CIAP Newsletter for March is now available;

Inside this issue:

* New Titles from Cancer Institute NSW
* Evidence-based Medicine (EBM) Study for PGY1 and PGY2s
* OvidSP - New Functionality
* Quality & Safety Branch - Open Disclosure Training and Education
* Quality & Safety Branch - Journals available via CIAP
* New CIAP Resources and Changes
* CIAP Training News
* Safety Alert Broadcast System (SABS)
* The SABS register
* Did You Know? - You can download TNM Mobile Ed to your PDA
* New Search Engine on ARCHI
* ARCHI - February Net News
* Drug Database Updates

For current information on new resources and changes to the CIAP website, download the latest newsletter:-

http://www.ciap.health.nsw.gov.au/news/mar08_news.html (Internet)
http://internal.health.nsw.gov.au:2001/news/mar08_news.html (Intranet)

Mental health DVDs : free at your local video store !

The Mental Health Association of NSW and BeyondBlue have provided most video stores across NSW with a set of 6 free DVDs on key mental health problems for use by consumers. Topics covered include Depression (with Spike Milligan), Manic Depression, Schizophrenia, Gambling (with HG Nelson), Panic Disorder & Social Phobia.
Details : http://mentalhealth.asn.au/campaigns/DVDrental.htm

Enhancing palliation in patients with advanced cancer in rural areas of Australia

Update your knowledge of palliative cancer treatment


This new active learning module was developed by the Medical Oncology Group of Australia (MOGA) to provide primary care practitioners, especially those in rural and remote Australia, with up-to-date information on the use of palliative cancer treatments. Update your knowledge of palliative cancer treatment:


the latest on anticancer therapies
a refresher on pain management
a review of oncological emergencies


Application pending for RACGP QA&CPD Category 1 points. Accredited for ACRRM PDP.

FREE to Australian doctors and other interested health professionals SIGN UP NOW

Australian Health Workforce Institute (Website)

The Australian Health Workforce Institute (AHWI) was officially launched on 19th February 2008. AHWI is a joint venture between the University of Melbourne and the University of Queensland. Working closely with Commonwealth and State jurisdictions, AHWI is conducting research and developing policy that will help deliver Australia health workforce sustainability by 2020. A website to watch.
See: http://www.ahwi.edu.au/home

Continuing Professional Education Online (ANF)

The Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) has launched a series of Continuing Professional Education online modules. Subjects covered to date include : Basic life support, Drug calculations, Respiratory failure and airway obstruction, Chest pain, and Acute coronary syndrome. Available both to ANF members ($7.70 per module) and non-members ($22 per module).
More details

Strengthening Aboriginal family functioning: What works and why?

Roz Walker and Carrington Shepherd / Australian Family Relationships Clearinghouse

Despite the importance of good functioning, there remains a limited evidence base to describe how well Aboriginal families function or the factors that support family harmony or contribute to dysfunction. This paper discusses the contemporary evidence base, including case studies of programs that work, to provide insights into the protective effects and risks that influence forms of functioning among Aboriginal families.

http://www.aifs.gov.au/afrc/pubs/briefing/briefing7.html