An information and research blog for health professionals, compiled by the staff of District Library Services - MNCLHD
MNCLHD
Wednesday, April 09, 2025
Wednesday, April 02, 2025
MNCLHD Staff Publications - January to March 2025
Congratulations to all those who have been published!
Bakry, M. and A. May (2024). "Lifelong Severe Left Ventricular Dysfunction After Lightning Strike to the Chest: A Case Report." Heart Lung and Circulation 33(Supplement 4): S275.
Bland, A., A. Mamo, S. Eather, T. Stewart and P. Indraratna (2024). Finding a Trap With the Help of a Map: Parametric Mapping to Aid the Diagnosis of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy. Heart Lung and Circulation. 33(Supplement 4): S189-S190.
Bunting, N., R. Martynoga, H. Crayton and A. Pandita (2024). "Recovery from acute haemorrhagic leucoencephalitis secondary to COVID-19." BMJ Case Reports 17(8).
Carney, E., P. Thornberry, R. Bear, N. Bilton and D. Bilton (2024). "An inpatient mental health placement for paramedic undergraduate students: a pilot study." BMC Medical Education 24(1): 1047.
Cheng, E., J. Mui, A. Matar, Z. Bunjo, J. Wenman and W. Petrushnko (2024). "Impact of gastroenterologist-supported endoscopy training for surgical trainees in a regional hospital." ANZ Journal of Surgery
Curley, D., L. Kinsman, G. Mooney, G. Whiteford, T. Lower, M. Hobbs, B. Morris, K. Bartlett and A. Jacob (2024). "A cross-sectional study assessing concordance with advance care directives in a rural health district." Australian Journal of Rural Health 32(5): 969-975.
Darby, J., K. Atkins, M. V. Schie and F. Guy (2024). "A rural town embracing Midwifery Group Practice." Women and Birth Conference: Australian College of Midwives National Conference. Melbourne Australia. 37(Supplement 1) (no pagination).
Delbridge, A., J. Davey, M. Galloway, A. Drummond, L. Lanyon, N. Olley, G. Mason, C. English and D. B. Simpson (2024). "Exploring post-stroke fatigue from the perspective of stroke survivors: what strategies help? A qualitative study." Disability and Rehabilitation 46(18): 4187-4193.
Dierick, N. R., B. D. Nicholson, T. R. Fanshawe, P. Sundaralingam and S. N. Kostalas (2024). "Serrated polyposis syndrome: defining the epidemiology and predicting the risk of dysplasia." BMC Gastroenterology 24(1) (no pagination).
Gyorki, D. E., S. Bae, R. C. Smith, D. A. Caruso, D. Coker, E. A. Connolly, J. Desai, A. Johnston, A. K. Lawless, S. Lazarakis, H. Lo, F. Maclean, J. Mar, J. McDonough, G. Perianayagam, M. Phillips, D. Pryor, A. Sundaram, S. R. Thompson, D. D. Zhou and A. M. Hong (2024). "Update of clinical practice guidelines for the management of patients with sarcoma." ANZ J Surg.
Hibbert, P. D., L. Raggett, C. J. Molloy, J. Westbrook, F. Magrabi, V. Mumford, R. Clay-Williams, R. Lingam, P. M. Salmon, S. Middleton, M. Roberts, P. Bradd, S. Bowden, K. Ryan, M. Zacka, K. Sketcher-Baker, A. Phillips, L. Birks, D. K. Arya, C. Trevorrow, S. Handa, G. Swaminathan, A. Carson-Stevens, S. Wiig, C. de Wet, E. E. Austin, B. Nic Giolla Easpaig, Y. Wang, G. Arnolda, G. M. Peterson and J. Braithwaite (2024). "Improving health system responses when patients are harmed: a protocol for a multistage mixed-methods study." BMJ Open 14(7): e085854.
Joseph, K., S. van der
Hock, I. Seth, N. Hapangama, L. Gibson, R. Cuomo, W. M. Rozen and N. Dhupar
(2024). "Association of ovarian teratoma with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate
receptor encephalitis: a case report and narrative review." Archives of
Obstetrics and Gynecology
McLeod, K. and P. Rashid (2024). "Supervisors-Unappreciated and under supported: who pays?" ANZ Journal of Surgery 94(7-8): 1200-1201.
McLeod, K., R. Woodward-Kron, P. Rashid, J. Archer and D. Nestel (2024). ""I'm on an island": A qualitative study of underperforming surgical trainee perspectives on remediation." American Journal of Surgery 234: 11-16.
McMullen, B., K. Duncanson, C. Collins and L. MacDonald-Wicks (2024). "A systematic review of the mechanisms influencing engagement in diabetes prevention programmes for people with pre-diabetes." Diabetic Medicine 41(8): e15323.
Miao, Y., N. Jasim, C. Guha, A. Sluiter, K. B. Owen, B. Yudianto, M. H. Lim, B. J. Smith and K. Manera (2024). "Experiences of loneliness and social isolation among young people with chronic physical conditions: A thematic synthesis of qualitative studies." Journal of Adolescence.
Montgomery, L. R. C., M. Swain, A. B. Dario, M. O'Keeffe, T. P. Yamato, J. Hartvigsen, S. French, C. Williams and S. Kamper (2024). "Does sedentary behaviour cause spinal pain in children and adolescents? A systematic review with meta-analysis." Br J Sports Med
Paltridge, D., J. Martin, J. Churchill, R. Grills, B. Loveday, R. D. Gupta and S. C. Rennie (2024). "Consensus statement: support for supervisors of surgical training in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand." ANZ Journal of Surgery 94(7-8): 1221-1227.
Panwar, R., A. L. Poulter, M. Nourse, S. Rai, F. M. P. van Haren, K. Ellem, S. Tummala, C. Hore and K. Sunkara (2024). "A multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing three-times-a-day intermittent enteral postural feeding to continuous enteral feeding among mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care." Clinical Nutrition 43(9): 2149-2155.
Pitman, G. R., T. Soeyland, G. Popovic and D. Thomson (2024). "Haematoma block is the most efficient technique for closed forearm fracture reduction: a retrospective cohort study." Emergency Medicine Journal 41(10): 595-601.
Qian, W., J. Soares, I. D. Jayewardene and N. Peck (2024). "Bouveret syndrome preceding classical gallstone ileus: a rare presentation of a cholecystoduodenal fistula." Journal of Surgical Case Reports 2024(7): rjae421.
Spiro, J., T. J. Ford, A. Yong, C. Zeitz, J. F. Beltrame and Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand Coronary Vasomotor dysfunction Working Group (incl. Lambert, B.) (2024). "Protocol Variation in Functional Coronary Angiography Among Patients With Suspected Angina With Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries: A Nationwide Snapshot of Current Practice Within Australia and New Zealand." Heart Lung Circ 33(9): 1287-1296.
Sritharan, H. P., J. Chia, K. Gardiner, K. Hellestrand, D. Whalley, L. Kanagaratnam, R. Bhindi and K. K. M. Chia (2024). "Utility of conversational artificial intelligence with large language models for patient information on cardiac electrophysiology procedures." Heart Rhythm: S1547-5271.
Taylor, M.
E., M. Ambrens, H. Hawley-Hague, C. Todd, J. C. T. Close, S. R. Lord, L.
Clemson, T. Lung, D. Berlowitz, J. Blennerhassett, J. Dayhew, A. Gluchowski, W.
Hodge, P. Johnson,
R. Lasrado, M. Merlene, L. Miles, S. O'Rourke, C. M. Said, L. White, N. Wilson,
A. Zask and K. Delbaere (2024). "Implementation of a digital exercise
programme in health services to prevent falls in older people." Age
Ageing 53(8).
Taylor, M. E., M. Ambrens, H. Hawley-Hague, C. Todd, J. C. T. Close, S. R. Lord, L. Clemson, T. Lung, D. Berlowitz, J. Blennerhassett, J. Dayhew, A. Gluchowski, W. Hodge, P. Johnson, R. Lasrado, M. Merlene, L. Miles, S. O'Rourke, C. M. Said, L. White, N. Wilson, A. Zask and K. Delbaere (2024). "Implementation of a digital exercise programme in health services to prevent falls in older people." Age and Ageing 53(8) (no pagination).
Thomas, B.,
A. Jacob, D. McCann, P. Buykx, R. Schultz, L. Kinsman, P. O'Meara, K. Edvardsson and E.
Spelten (2024). "Analysis of Violent Incidents at Five Regional and Remote
Australian Emergency Departments: A Retrospective Descriptive Study." SAGE
Open Nurs 10: 23779608241261597.
Monday, March 31, 2025
Are you and your patient's measles immunsations up to date?
How to check your immunistaion status in Australia.
Adults in Australia can access their Immunisation History Statment through myGov, the Express Medicare mobile app, or by contacting the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). Parents can check for their children.
The AIR is a national register that records vaccines given to people of all ages in Australia.
Accessing Your Immunisation History Statement:
myGov: Link your Medicare online account to your myGov account and access your immunisation history statement.
Express Plus Medicare mobile app: Use the app to access your immunisation history statement.
AIR Enquiries Line: Call the AIR enquiries line at 1800 653 809.
Ask your Doctor or Immunisation Provider: They can access the AIR and print a copy for you.
What if you can't find records?
If you cannot find records of past vaccinations, it's generally safe to restart vaccinations from scratch.
Blood Tests: Your GP may also perform blood tests to check for immunity to certain diseases, including measles, mumps, and rubella.
Measles vaccines given before 1994 are less likely to be recorded on the AIR, so you may need to check with your vaccination provider or parents for records.
Health professionals working in the community can remind their clients to check their immunisation history as measles has once again become an issue in the community. Measles is one of the most contagious viral illnesses. It spreads through the air when a person breathes, coughs or sneezes. On average, one person can infect 12 to 18 others who are not immune.
Measles is severe in around one in ten children. Complications can include ear infection, diarrhoea and pneumonia, and, more rarely, encephalitis (brain swelling).
However, adults can also catch and spread the disease, making up 10–20% of measles cases during outbreaks.
On March 26 NSW Health issued an alert advising people to be vigilant for signs of measles after an infectious person visited Sydney Airport and two locations in western New South Wales. Download a NSW Health Measles fact sheet here.
There are active measles outbreaks in several countries, including Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia. If you are traveling, ensure you are vaccinated.
Vaccination has saved millions of lives
The measles vaccine has changed the trajectory of this disease. In the 21st century alone, measles vaccination is thought to have saved more than 60 million lives globally.
The measles vaccine is free through Australia’s National Immunisation Program. It’s routinely given at 12 and 18 months of age. The first dose is combined with mumps and rubella (the MMR vaccine) and the second adds protection against chickenpox, or varicella (MMRV).
False suggestions that the measles vaccination is linked with disorders such as autism have been thoroughly disproven. The vaccine is very safe and highly effective.
This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional.
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Library Resources: Spotlight on Physiotherapy!
Books:
Essential skills for physiotherapists : a personal and professional development framework / edited by David Clancy, Stuart Porter, Jeff Konin, Amelia J. H. Arundale, Grant Downie, Ciaran Dunne.
Practical evidence-based physiotherapy / Rob Herbert, Gro Jamtvedt, Kåre Birger Hagen, Mark R. Elkins.
Brukner & Kahn's clinical sports medicine : foundations of clinical practice / Peter Brukner et al.
Respiratory physiotherapy pocketbook : an on-call survival guide / [edited by] Jane Cross, Mary Ann Broad, Matthew Quint, Paul Ritson and Sandy Thomas.
Manual therapy for musculoskeletal pain syndromes César Fernández-de-las-Peñas, Joshua A. Cleland, Jan Dommerholt ; forewords by Ola Grimsby, Rob A.B. Oostendorp, Prof. Dr. Andry Vleeming.
Pocketbook of taping techniques / edited by Rose Macdonald.
Guccione's geriatric physical therapy / edited by Dale Avers and Rita A. Wong
Essentials of cardiopulmonary physical therapy [edited by] Ellen Hillegass.
Campbell's physical therapy for children / Robert J. Palisano
Neurologic rehabilitation : neuroscience and neuroplasticity in physical therapy practice / Deborah S. Nichols Larsen, Deborah Kegelmeyer, John Buford, Anne Kloos, Jill Heathcock, D. Michele Basso.
eBooks:
Therapeutic Exercise: Foundations and Techniques -8th ed
Journals:
Databases:
Monday, March 24, 2025
RR-Clan Rural Research Collaborative Learning Network - Education Opportunity
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Proceed with Caution: AI as a Search Tool
Are you using AI to
conduct academic research? Or maybe just
to find out about a topic relevant to your practice?
You’re not the only
one! Coffey (2024) reports some kind of
AI is being used by 75% of researchers….even though 92% of them don’t trust it.
This distrust is not
without reason, and its good to see.
There are some serious pitfalls to using AI to find factual information
or even to find research articles. However,
there are also some helpful AI based tools that may support your information
seeking.
Traditionally,
academic databases and more recently, institution-hosted discovery tools have
been the way to find published, peer-reviewed information. However, since the development of generative
AI tools, such as ChatGPT and CoPilot, information seeking in all its forms has
evolved (Ayre et al, 2025).
Some major issues with
AI generated search results are bias and misinformation. Bias can occur due to the fact that generative
AI learns from previous data (Williamson & Fernandez, 2025) and anyone,
anywhere can be inputting that data. A
major source of misinformation are hallucinations, where AI conjures up
information that is inaccurate or false or a citation that does not exist
(Williamson & Fernandez, 2025). Here
at District Library Services, we have been asked to retrieve articles generated
by AI searches which we have found to be a hallucinations, despite how real
they look!
Along with these
issues, many AI search tools do not make it simple to retrieve the citations
you need to then locate the articles (Williamson & Fernandez, 2025).
Its good to remember
that those traditional old academic databases are more complex for a reason. They have boundaries around what they search
so that the results they retrieve are of higher quality and more easily analysed
for relevance (Williamson & Fernandez, 2025) having been mapped to subject
headings.
So why then do people
use AI for these type of searches?
Part of the reason is
NLP or Natural Language Processing.
Developing a search strategy for an academic database can be time
consuming and if you are not skilled in this area, lead to less than desirable
results. But AI tools allow you to
search in natural language which means you can type in a whole question or sentence
and it will bring up relevant results (Gorton, 2025).
One of the positive aspects
of AI’s ability to learn is that it can provide results more tailored to the
individual user (Gorton, 2025). Some
tools will even provide suggestions of additional searches you could undertake!
So what next? Do we throw the baby out with the bathwater?
AI is here to stay and there are some tools that have a reduced risk of use.
Monash Health have
helpfully analysed these tools for you and even provide a handy matrix for you
to use to decide which to use (Gorton, 2025).
Each tool has its
pluses and minuses and its individual characteristics may influence which you
choose, but Monash recommend Consensus.app and Semantic Scholar and suggest you
steer clear of Copilot and ChatGPT amongst others (Gorton, 2025).
If you choose to use AI
for your searching, please keep this sage advice from Williamson & Fernandez
(2025) in mind "It should be emphasized that while AI search may function as
a valuable time saver, for high-stakes searchers, it remains unreliable enough
that it is inherently problematic if it is to be used as the only method of
research."
So while it can be a useful tool, it is no replacement for a thorough
search strategy put through a variety of academic databases. Reach out to the library for assistance with
this. We can undertake a literature
search for you or provide training so that you are more equipped to undertake
your own. You can contact us here.
Monash Health’s fantastic Literature Searching Guide can be
accessed here. Look for the AI search
tools section at the bottom.
Ayre, J., Cvejic, E. & McCaffery, K. J., (2025). Use of
ChatGPT to obtain health information in Australia, 2024: insights from a
nationally representative survey. Medical Journal of Australia, 222(4),
210-212. https://doi.org/10.5694/mja2.52598
Coffey, L. (2024). Most researchers use AI-Powered tools despite
distrust. Inside Higher Ed. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2024/05/24/report-most-researchers-use-ai-tools-despite-distrusting-it
Gorton, C. (2025). Tech Showdown – AI Search Tools Special Issue. Journal
of Health Information and Libraries Australia, 5(1), 5-8.
Williamson, J. M. & Fernandez, P. (2025). “Through the looking
glass: envisioning new library technologies” academic search using artificial
intelligence tools. Library Hi Tech News, 42(2), 1-5.
https://doi.org/10.1108/LHTN-01-2024-0014.
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Tuesday, March 04, 2025
Happy Mardi Gras!
Spotlight on LGBTQIA+ Health Resources
"I
wrote this book to provide nurses from all practice settings and experience
levels the knowledge and understanding of how to care for the LGBTQ population.
The first of its kind, this book offers the nurse concise and pragmatic
information to deliver culturally competent and inclusive care. Lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender, queer, and other gender minorities (LGBTQ) face unique
challenges and barriers to accessing healthcare, resulting in poor health
outcomes. Studies have consistently shown the greater risk for poor health
outcomes due to fear or mistrust of healthcare providers, such as nurses,
because of past discrimination and refusal of care and acceptance, which have
created systemic health disparities. Nursing textbooks and education
predominantly focus on cisgender heteronormative populations - leaving the
nurse without the knowledge and information needed to care for this diverse
population" – Tyler Traister
This is
an illustrated children's book that makes gender identity, sexual orientation
and family diversity easy to explain to children. Throughout the book kids
learn that there are many kinds of people in the world and that diversity is
something to be celebrated. It covers gender, romantic orientation,
discrimination, intersectionality, privilege, and how to stand up for what's
right. With charming illustrations, clear explanations, and short sections that
can be dipped in and out of, this book helps children think about how to create
a kinder, more tolerant world.
Transgender health : a practitioner's guide to binary and non-binary trans patient care by Ben Vincent (available in hardcopy or eBook)
Rainbow Resource for Mental Health Care from NSW Health's Agency for Clinical Innovation
"A toolkit for child and adolescent mental health clinicians
supporting LGBTIQ+ young people and their families. This resource offers guidance for mental health
clinicians to understand the needs of LGBTIQ+ young people and effectively
support their mental health and wellbeing through affirming, best-practice
care."
ACON is an LGBTQIA+ Community Organisation that focuses on the health of its community. They have metropolitan and regional branches as well as many online resources.
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Spotlight on Resources: New eBooks!
Access these titles and more via our Discovery site.
ACLS Review Made Incredibly Easy! 4th Edition (2023)
The 4th Edition of ACLS Review Made Incredibly Easy! is filled with simple definitions and clear, step-by-step instructions on the newest algorithms. It provides the confidence to pass the ACLS certification exam and equips you with the necessary knowledge and skills for advanced cardiac life support.
Anatomy & Physiology Made Incredibly Easy! 6th Edition (2023)
The 8th Edition of Fluids & Electrolytes Made Incredibly Easy® is your go-to quick-reference guide for mastering fluids and electrolytes throughout your nursing career—whether in class, on the unit, preparing for the NCLEX®, or needing a refresher. This invaluable resource, written in the engaging Incredibly Easy® style, makes essential information both approachable and entertaining, while clarifying real-world applications. Step-by-step instructions build your confidence in balancing fluids and electrolytes, understanding fluid imbalances and related disorders, treating imbalances, and more. Helpful tips reinforce key concepts, provide important care reminders, and enhance your problem-solving and patient teaching skills. This thoroughly updated 8th Edition includes the latest insights and practices to ensure your success in today's nursing practice and beyond.
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Spotlight on a CiAP Resource
Clinical Equipment User Manual Library
Having problems with a Medical Device? This handy tool
is available via CiAP and houses the user manuals for a wide range of Clinical
Equipment.
To access: go to CiAP and click on tools.
The Clinical Equipment User Manual Library is
at the top of the middle column.
And download the guide!
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Welcome to our New Graduate Nurses!
The first cohort of New Grads have started at MNCLHD
for 2025. Below are some resources that interest
them as they adjust to their new role.
From Novice to Expert: Excellence and Power in Clinic
Nursing Practice / Patricia Benner
Benner’s seminal text remains pertinent to all nurses,
especially those beginning their practice as it highlights how a newcomer to
the profession or specialty develops their skills, knowledge and clinical
judgement to eventually become an expert.
How to Survive and Maybe Even Love Your Life as a
Nurse / Kelli S. Dunham & Staci J. Smith
Guides the reader from graduation to their initial
nursing position and onward to a thriving, rewarding nursing career. It acts as
both a mentor and a cheerleader, offering guidance and support to new nurses
throughout their journey from student to assured professional.
Just Sit: A Meditation Guidebook for People Who Know
They Should But Don’t / Sukey & Elizabeth Novogratz
This engaging and informative meditation guidebook
features playful illustrations and is designed for ease of use. It includes an
eight-week plan tailored for busy beginners, helping even the most hectic
schedules integrate meditation and reap its numerous physical and emotional
rewards.
The Library!
Drop in or visit our website to discover what we have
to offer. Borrow one of the above books
or another text relevant to the specialty you are working in.
Monday, February 10, 2025
In the literature - Workplace Violence and Job Stress
Workplace Violence and Job Stress
The article, titled "The
effects of workplace violence on the job stress of health care workers:
buffering effects of wellbeing HRM practices," explores how workplace
violence impacts job stress among healthcare workers and how wellbeing-oriented
human resource management (HRM) practices can help mitigate these effects. The
study, grounded in the conservation of resources theory, examines data from
healthcare workers in Australia and China 1. It finds that wellbeing
HRM practices can moderate the relationship between workplace violence and job
stress, ultimately improving the quality of care provided by healthcare workers
1.
To support stressed
healthcare workers, there are several free government resources available:
1. Patricia Pariona-Cabrera, Timothy Bartram, Jillian Cavanagh, Beni Halvorsen, Bo Shao & Feifei Yang (2024) The effects of workplace violence on the job stress of health care workers: buffering effects of wellbeing HRM practices, The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 35:9, 1654-1680, DOI: 10.1080/09585192.2023.2237876
2.
Head to Health: Provides a Stress
Management Program based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) principles,
available online for free.
3.
icare: Offers stress management
strategies specifically for healthcare workers, including tips on self-care,
communication, and support from colleagues and leaders.
4. Wellbeing and Staff Support offers links to a range of programs to support the health and wellbeing of NSW Health staff in the Mid North Coast Local Health District.
These resources can
help healthcare workers manage stress and improve their mental wellbeing.
In addition District Library services has these books and more that you can read to inspire your self care journey.
Mindful self-compassion for burnout : tools to help you heal and recharge when you're wrung out by stress / Kristin Neff, PhD, Christopher Germer, PhD.
Every doctor : healthier doctors = healthier patients / Leanne Rowe, Michael Kidd, Vihangi Abeygunawardana.
Breath : the new science of a lost art / James Nestor.
Do less be more : ban busy and make space for what matters / Martina Sheehan & Susan Pearse.
The article referenced is available through Open Access online. MNCLHD staff can contact the library if they have any problems downloading the full article or would like to borrow any of the above books.