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National Plan For Better Pain Management

Posted on | by Staff Writer

The list:

The plan has listed eight key goals for a better outcome.

  1. People living with pain are recognised as a national and public health priority
  2. Consumers, their carers and the wider community are more empowered knowledgeable and supported to understand and manage pain
  3. Health practitioners are well-informed andskilled on best practice evidence-based care and are supported to deliver this care
  4. People living with pain have timely access to consumer-centred best practice pain management including self-management, early intervention strategies and interdisciplinary care and support
  5. Outcomes in pain management are improved and evaluated on an ongoing basis to ensure consumer-centred pain services are provided that are best practice and keep pace with innovation
  6. Knowledge of pain flourishes and is communicated to health practitioners and consumers through a national research strategy
  7. Chronic pain is minimised through prevention and early intervention strategies
  8. People living with pain are supported to participate in work and community

Facts and figures:

The number of Australians living with chronic pain is set to rise from 3.24 million to 5.23 million by 2050.

Last year alone, Australians paid $2.7 billion in out of pocket expenses to manage their pain.

As a nation, the annual cost will rise from $139.3 billion to an estimated $215.6 billion by 2050.

Ask the expert:

Painaustralia CEO, Carol Bennett

“The Australian Government and Minister Greg Hunt funded and supported the development of the first-ever National Strategic Action Plan for Pain Management (NSAPPM) in May 2018. The year of exhaustive consultation and development that followed have now culminated with the final release of the NSAPPM that sets out the key priority actions to improve access to, and knowledge of best practice pain management, in the next three years,”

The details:

The full report can be found at www.painaustralia.org.au/static/uploads/files/national-action-plan-11-06-2019-wfflaefbxbdy.pdf

‘Tumour-Tracking’ to Allow for More Accurate Radiotherapy With Less Side-Effects

Posted on | by Staff Writer

How it works:

The study is aiming to develop a more accurate way to track tumours, so treatments can be delivered directly to cancer cells. Currently, radiotherapy treats a single area that is larger than it needs to be, to try and account for any movement.

But if the cancer moves and the beam is static (hitting the same area for each dose), the cancer cells at some point, might not receive the intended radiation. If normal tissues come into the beam line as the cancer moves out of the way, they will be hit by a large radiation dose that was not intended for them.

By tracking tumours at all times and directing the beam at the cancer, the study could offer better outcomes for people with cancer.

Ask the expert:

Dr Doan Trang Nguyen

“High precision therapy uses the multi-modal adaptive tumour tracking (MATT) system to track the cancer at all times during the treatment,”

“The position of the cancer will be sent to a motor control unit that will direct the treatment beam at the current position of the cancer.”

The details:

Dr Nguyen is also supported by an early career fellowship from the National Health and Medical Research Council to study low-cost, high-precision radiotherapy.

Find out more about Dr Doan Trang Nguyen and her work with the University of Sydney at www.sydney.edu.au/medicine/people/academics/profiles/d.nguyen.php

Hope For Spinal Cord Injury Cure Boosted by Research Investment

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Facts and figures:

Nationally, around 12,000 Australians are living with a spinal cord injury (SCI).

Around 80 per cent of newly reported cases are accident related.

Car accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injury, followed by falls, being struck or colliding with a person or object, water-related activities and other sporting injuries.

Why it matters:

In 2018, a breakthrough study by NeuRA’s Associate Professor Sylvia Gustin found that half of all people suffering from a complete spinal cord injury still have surviving somatosensory pathways at the level of the spine.

The study also found that the brains of people with paraplegia registered a signal when their toes were stimulated, despite not being able to feel them.

Since then recently worked with international researchers to develop the world’s first virtual reality walking interface – called the AVATAR Project – which allows people with a spinal cord injury to move in a virtual environment.

What the minister had to say:

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard

“The allocation of the $15 million will be merit-based and researchers will need to demonstrate how their work will benefit patients in NSW.”

“This investment will allow SCI researchers from a variety of disciplines to collaborate and deliver their benchtop research to the bedside and beyond.”

NeuRA’s Associate Professor Sylvia Gustin

“The finding has received significant attention from researchers and medical professionals around the world.  For the first time, individuals who thought they could not move or feel below the site of their spinal injury have the potential to feel again.”

“New funding from the NSW Government will enable Australia to take a leading role in the development of new methods of treatment like the AVATAR Project to dramatically improve the quality of life for people with spinal cord injury.”

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Lack of Affordable Heating Linked to Rise in Hypothermia Deaths

Posted on | by Staff Writer

Facts and figures:

In only two of Victoria’s Emergency Departments, 217 people presented with hypothermia between 2009 and 2016.

Nearly 80 per cent of those patients were found indoors.

Of those, 11 per cent died.

The majority of cases (72 per cent) occurred during the colder months (late autumn to early spring) but notably, 12 per cent occurred during summer.

The research paper, published in Internal Medicine Journal, raised the issue of fuel poverty, topical given rising energy bills.

Ask the expert:

Dr Ananda-Rajah, a general medicine physician at Victoria’s The Alfred Hospital

“Questions must be asked as to why these people are developing this condition, particularly the elderly who are indoors,”

“The elderly seem to be particularly vulnerable. Do they have adequate heating and homes that are well-insulated? Are they wearing adequate clothing? Are they able to afford heating?”

The details:

The full report can be found at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30963670

Voluntary Assisted Dying Comes Into Effect in Victoria

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The list:

These guiding principles are all of equal importance and are designed to sit alongside legislation (if applicable), organisational ethical frameworks or professional codes of conduct. Underpinning these principles are the following fundamental elements of palliative care.

  1. People living with a life-limiting illness are supported
    and respected whether or not they choose to explore
    or access voluntary assisted dying.
  2. People exploring voluntary assisted dying will not be
    abandoned
  3. Respectful and professional behaviour towards
    colleagues and co-workers regardless of their views
    on voluntary assisted dying
  4. Effective communication is an important part of
    quality care
  5. Ongoing development of knowledge, skill and
    confidence is required to provide competent and safe
    care to people living with a life–limiting illness
  6. Self-care practice is a shared responsibility between
    individuals, colleagues and organisations
  7. Continue to learn from evidence and evolving
    practice to drive quality improvement in voluntary
    assisted dying

The Details:

Palliative Care Australia is the national peak body for palliative care in Australia. PCA provides leadership on palliative care policy and community engagement. Working closely with consumers, its Member Organisations and the palliative care and broader health workforce, PCA aims to improve the quality of life and death for people with a life-limiting illness, their families and carers

For further details on these guiding principles can be found at www.palliativecare.org.au[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

BioMedTech Horizons Program Now Open!

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]MTPConnect has opened a call for Expressions of Interest to identify and select a number of biological and medical technology innovation initiatives that address one of the following four priority therapeutic areas:

  1. Cardiovascular;
  2. Orthopaedics;
  3. Emergency medicine/trauma; or
  4. Ophthalmology.

Up to $1 million of funding is offered for individual projects over a two-year period.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_btn title=”Click Here To Apply” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fmtpconnect.smartygrants.com.au%2FBMTH20||target:%20_blank|”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_separator][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_btn title=”View the program guidelines” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mtpconnect.org.au%2Fimages%2FBMTH%25202.0%2520Guidelines.pdf||target:%20_blank|”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]The BioMedTech Horizons Program was one of the commitments delivered as part of the Medical Technology Association of Australia’s (MTAA) 2017 Agreement with the Commonwealth to promote the sustainability of privately insured health care through rebalancing the costs of medical devices to privately insured patients.

This funding is being delivered via the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), and administered by MTPConnect, the Medical Technology and Pharmaceutical Industry Growth Centre.

Investments from the program will be focused on funding proof-of-concept to commercial development of biomedical and medical technologies (biomedtech).[/vc_column_text][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Shaking up value-based health care: how and why it can work in Australia

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In launching its Australian Centre for Value-Based Health Care and two issues briefs which explore definitions and funding options, the AHHA highlights work being undertaken by its members and partners as they seek to maximise value in health care and build on work being led by Commonwealth, state and territory governments to move the focus in health policy from volume to value.

Health systems around the world have been exploring how to move the focus of their activities from delivering volume to delivering value. In doing so, they are trying to re-orient health service delivery to provide improved patient outcomes, often while reducing the overall cost of delivery.

To lay the foundation for what value-based health care means in Australia, the Centre’s first paper considers Australia’s alignment with a value-based approach and identifies important enablers that must be part of a coordinated national strategy.

To enable value-based health care through public policy in Australia, Value based health care: setting the scene for Australia by AHHA Policy Director Kylie Woolcock recommends a national, cross-sector strategy for value-based health care in Australia supported by: access to relevant and up-to-date data; evidence for value-based health care in the Australian context; a health workforce strategy supporting models of care that embrace a value-based approach; and funding systems that incentivise value.

Team-based care models with professionals working at the top of their licence may offer more effective, timelier and better value care than traditional care systems.

Funding arrangements need to move away from a reliance on traditional fee-for-service models, which can entrench fragmented care. Rewards and funding should be re-oriented to what matters to patients, namely health outcomes and ongoing effective management of chronic conditions.

Re-orienting funding from volume to value in public dental health services by Dental Health Services Victoria’s Dr Shalika Hegde outlines how they became the first organisation in Australia to implement a patient-centric, and outcomes and prevention focused value-based health care model in the public dental sector using existing funding.

“Dr Hegde argues for strong national leadership and the cooperation of all jurisdictions to implement a national public dental funding system focused on value and outcomes—which will benefit all parties,” said Ms Verhoeven,

“This is not about saving money—this is about achieving better outcomes that matter to patients and getting better value for every public dollar spent.

“We invite innovative organisations from around Australia to partner with us to go on the value-based health care journey.”

Visit the Australian Centre for Value-Based Health Care at www.valuebasedcareaustralia.com.au. To find out more about the AHHA, visit www.ahha.asn.au.

The Australian Centre for Value-Based Health Care is the nexus of the value-based health care movement in Australia, bringing together educational and training opportunities, quality research and best practice case studies into a hub where those interested in value-based health care can easily find resources.[/vc_column_text][vc_zigzag][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”1850″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]You may also be interested in reading:

VALUE-BASED HEALTHCARE IN AUSTRALIA
by Andrew Wiltshire

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Health insurers called out by APRA

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In an unprecedented move for the prudential regulator, APRA has called out the industry for being too reliant on lobbying government to provide solutions and underprepared for the challenges that lie ahead.

According to APRA Senior Manager Peter Kohlhagen in a speech to the Health Insurance Summit in Sydney last week, “we aren’t convinced that any insurer yet has a robust strategy for managing the risks”, and that “the current environment is likely to lead to consolidation if it continues for an extended period.”

Mr Kohlhagen emphasized that insurers will need to have a “Plan B” in the event of failure, and that for many that “Plan B” would most likely be a merger.

He also said that “APRA will not hesitate to act to protect the interests of policyholders should it become necessary due to viability concerns with an insurer.”

“That can take the form of an orderly merger or other exit from the market. Importantly, an insurer that has a plan and executes it when it becomes necessary can control its own destiny. An insurer that fails to plan will find that it loses that opportunity.”

With 82 per cent of Australian households concerned about the cost of private health insurance, the rising costs of healthcare and the confusion brought on by the Government’s recent gold/silver/bronze/basic reforms, the risks facing the industry are very real.

APRA’s letters points to active measures that could be taken by health funds to improve industry practices and boost sustainability, such as facilitating substitutes for in-hospital treatment, revising health supplier contracts and developing preventative health and well-being offerings for their members.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

MedTech’s Got Talent StartUp Event 2019 Sydney

Posted on | by Staff Writer

Facts and figures:

When – 24 June 2019 8:30 am, 1:30 pm AEST

Where – Ernst & Young, Sydney, 200 George St, Sydney, NSW 2000

How Much – $25

The details:

The day will include, presentations and discussions with industry experts, where attendees can learn about key areas such as intellectual property, market positioning, capital raising and the art of pitching.

The bootcamp will also help to advise on how to succeed in the MedTech’s Got Talent competition – Australia’s largest medical and health technology entrepreneurship challenge – and a  leading market-driven, industry-led Accelerator program for MedTech and HealthTech startups.

Wrapping up at 12.30pm, the bootcamp will be followed by lunch and a chance to network with other emerging MedTech and HealthTech entrepreneurs and industry experts.

To purchase tickets go to – www.eventbrite.com.au/e/medtechs-got-talent-startup-bootcamp-2019-sydney-tickets-62298458366

Wearable MedTech to Assist in Vertigo Diagnose

Posted on | by Staff Writer

Facts and figures:

For the first time, patients can use the miniature video goggles to capture episodes of vertigo in their home, by recording their own eye-movements through a small camera attached to the outside of a pair of rubber goggles.

Researchers are now able to use these recorded videos to identify eye-movements associated with different conditions.

Around 30% of people experience vertigo, a form of severe dizziness that can result in a loss of balance, a feeling of falling, trouble walking or standing, or nausea.

It is a common reason for visits to the GP or Emergency, particularly in older people, but is treatable in most cases.

Ask the expert:

Associate Professor Miriam Welgampola of Sydney University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health

“Vertigo can be a disabling condition, so an accurate diagnosis is important to effectively treat the underlying disorder,”

“Observing a person’s eye movements during an episode can help make the diagnosis, but people don’t always have an episode when they are at the doctor’s office.”