MNCLHD Staff publication included in special issue of Health Promotion Journal of Australia

Health Promotion Journal of Australia Volume 32 Issue S1.

Special Issue: Equity and Health Literacy February 2021

This issue contains ground breaking work researching men in Tasmania who experience substantially poorer health outcomes and socio-economic disadvantage than most Australians.

The article is entitled "Engaging “hard‐to‐reach” men in health promotion using the OPHELIA principles: Participants' perspectives". Lead author Leigh Kinsman, Professor of Evidence Based Nursing, is especially proud of the work the team put in, as well as contributions made by some of the participants. This work was selected from many under consideration to have a "Video Short" that gives a brief pictorial introduction and overview of the research and solutions found during the research.

Source: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com

Experiences of isolation, lack of trust in the health system, no-adherence to medication, mental health problems and long term pain were revealed. This informed the generation of ideas to to improve their health and well-being and give a better understanding of health. Specially tailored interventions were implemented including "Numeracy for Life" and "Healthy Sheds" courses. Post course interviews showed that the process contributed to a sense of worth, social support and a way to break old habits.

Scroll down in the linked article above to see the video. The article is available online. MNCLHD staff can contact the Library if they have any problems downloading it.

Congratulations Leigh Kinsman, Jan Radford, Shandell Elmer, Kathryn Ogden, Sarah Randles, Alycia Jacob, Denise Delphin, Nettie Burr, and Mick Goss on the production of a body of work that will impact on the lives of many.

What do we know about "long COVID"?

 "Long covid" is a term that is being used to describe illness those who have either recovered from covid-19 but are still reporting effects of the infection, or those who have had the usual symptoms for a far longer period of time than would be expected. A lot of people, doctors included, have been infected and have shared their anecdotal experiences on social and other media platforms. Read feature article in the BMJ "Covid-19: What do we know about long covid"? 

Professor of Infectious Diseases, Paul Garner who works at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, talked about his "frighteningly long" seven week experience with the virus for BMJ Opinion describing a "roller coaster of ill health, extreme emotions, and utter exhaustion". His long list of symptoms lasted for weeks and left him feeling like he was unable to function.

In the UK the Royal College of Practitioners expects GPs to see and influx of patients with "Long COVID" and has called for a rapid review for GPs to enable a streamlined approach to treatment as the approach introduced during the pandemic. A great deal of pressure is going to weigh on GPs as a direct result of covid-19.

Read evidence from a team of Italian researchers published in JAMA who reported that nine in ten patients discharged from a Rome hospital after recovery were still experiencing at least one symptom at sixty days post onset of the virus.

Currently the media is focused on two possibilities with COVID-19 either you get very sick requiring hospitalisation or you get a very mild case that is barely a sniffle. "You'll be right" just go home and isolate. The possibilities for a more chronic long term illness is not being brought to the attention of the public as it should be. Those who are considering not taking up the vaccine, thinking that because most of the population will be vaccinated, they might be protected. I think these people need to think again. 

Another article in the Pharmaceutical Journal tells the story in-depth of one patient who could not function even six months later. "Thousands of people who had been thought to have recovered are now reporting persistent or severe symptoms. Read the NSW government COVID-19 Critical Intelligence Unit's evidence check here.

Any escape of the virus to non-vaccinated members of the Australian population could have serious implications for the long term health of the people involved as well as Health System in Australia. 

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Practical Innovations for Health Care Leaders

Coffs Harbour Health Library staff, students and doctors - take advantage of full access to NEJM Catalyst Innovations in Care Delivery. It is focused on the most promising ideas driving health care delivery transformation and includes a rigorous selection of case studies, articles, and research reports. This digital journal covers critical topics like new models of care, health technology, patient-centered care, analytics, and outcomes.

As health care becomes more dynamic and complex, NEJM Catalyst Innovations in Care Delivery explores insights that impact day-to-day and long-term decisions about health care delivery. Each issue provides real-world examples and practical solutions to the urgent challenges of health care delivery today. An editorial board of seasoned clinical, executive, and academic leaders work in partnership with the journal’s editors to ensure the highest quality and relevance of articles, case studies, interviews, and more.

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Watch this interview with Tom Lee, MD, MSc, editor-in-chief of NEJM Catalyst Innovations in Care Delivery on changes in health care delivery now and in the future.

What you need to know about the Australian COVID-19 vaccines

The Australian Government has a strategy to deliver vaccines and treatments that researchers and companies across the world are developing. 

This video explains how the COVID-19 vaccines are being assessed and what happens once the vaccines are rolled out.

The Australian Government requires vigorous scientific data and analysis before supporting a vaccine candidate. This is a critical part of the scientific process. 

Advising the Government on COVID-19 vaccines are:

• The COVID-19 Vaccine and Treatments for Australia – Science and Industry Technical Advisory Group
• The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI)

To ensure information about COVID-19 is trustworthy, it is recommended to rely in information from the following reputable sources:

• Therapeutic Goods Administration
• Australian Academy of Science
• World Health Organisation
• National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance

The National coronavirus and COVID-19 vaccine helpline is 1800 020 080. The line operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

More information can be found at The Australian Government Department of Health.