Footscray Hospital

Deciding what foods to consume during pregnancy can be overwhelming. Accurate and culturally appropriate nutrition resources are particularly important for migrant women navigating different cultural influences. Research with African migrant women has highlighted the need for tailored pregnancy nutrition resources, yet this need remains unmet. Providing African migrant women with appropriate resources can support informed food choices and contribute to improved maternal and foetal health outcomes. This study explored the views and opinions of African migrant women and healthcare professionals (HCPs) in Australia on the development of a culturally appropriate pregnancy nutrition resource. The authors drew on previously prioritised needs for culturally tailored pregnancy nutrition resources as a starting point for co-design workshops. Four workshops were conducted via Zoom with seven African migrant women and five HCPs. Participants included women and HCPs from an earlier study as well as new participants recruited through convenience sampling. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, combining deductive and inductive approaches. Three themes captured the preferred formats and features of a tailored pregnancy nutrition resource. Among the suggested formats, the top four preferred were a mobile application, website, pamphlet, and food guide. Key features included incorporating African foods, identifying suitable alternatives available in Australia, providing information on common cultural food restrictions, and listing where African and substitute foods could be purchased. Across all formats, participants emphasised the importance of concise, visually engaging resources. Co-designed, culturally tailored nutrition resources can support women's nutritional needs, foster culturally sensitive care, and improve maternal and foetal health outcomes. African migrant women and HCPs contributed to co-design workshops, guiding the development of culturally tailored pregnancy nutrition resources.

Penile cancer is a rare malignancy, with an Australian incidence of 0.6 in 100 000 men, with a wide range of clinical presentations, from localised, curable tumours to aggressive forms with high morbidity and mortality. Epidemiological data and management guidelines for penile cancer in Australia are limited. The Australian Penile Cancer Clinical Registry (APCCR) aims to address this gap through a centralised database studying local risk factors, treatment effectiveness, and outcomes. The APCCR is a national, multicentre, prospective clinical quality registry. The primary objective is to map demographic and tumour characteristics, human papillomavirus infection rates, long-term surgical and non-surgical (radiotherapy and chemotherapy) interventions in penile cancer. Secondary objectives include elucidating disparities and interdisciplinary gaps in care and identifying areas for further studies. The registry aims to capture adult men with penile cancer in, utilising retrospective data collection and a prospective cohort design. Retrospective data are extracted from existing medical records, and prospective data are collected at enrolled sites. The registry is built in Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) and hosted on BioGrid Australia servers, enabling standardised data collection. Registration with the Australian Register of Clinical Registries is pending approval. The pilot phase of the APCCR is currently operational, with ongoing site recruitment. Five sites in Victoria and New South Wales are currently enrolled in the registry. The APCCR Steering Committee determined reporting and data protocols to ensure accurate data collection. The dataset was developed to comprise relevant clinical metrics on penile cancer diagnosis, disease, intervention, and surveillance. The APCCR is a robust platform for furthering the understanding of penile cancer diagnostic and treatment practices in Australia, aiming to further research and clinical practice changes. This will drive further collaboration and improvements in outcomes for Australian men affected by penile cancer, particularly with ongoing national expansion and improved longitudinal data.

Abstract This article explores a case study that presents the integration of field trips within an intensive delivery mode to enhance preservice teachers’ engagement and learning in STEM education. Using a design thinking and structured learning cycle approach, the collaboration between Victoria University and Wyndham Tech School offered applied learning opportunities through tutorials, field trips, and assessments embedded in VU’s Block Model ® . The impact of this collaborative framework is presented with qualitative research of 35 preservice teachers’ perceptions of their learning through focus groups and reflective assessment submissions. Thematic analysis identified five key themes, exploring both benefits and challenges of the unit, including enriching the student experience, the role of design thinking in learning, the transformative impact of the field trip, perceptions of future teaching practice, and engagement barriers. This case study discusses curriculum design, unit structure, pedagogy, and the impact of the program on student experience, while addressing logistical challenges associated with intensive learning programs.

This study was undertaken to identify gaps in cluster headache management, highlight patient-prioritized research needs, and assess patient interest in, and preferences for, clinical trial participation. Many people with cluster headache still lack effective treatment options to control or prevent attacks. There is a critical need for more studies, particularly clinical trials, in this field. To design and conduct successful trials, it is essential to identify priority research areas, allocate resources effectively, and ensure patient engagement and support. This study was an online survey conducted among Australian adults with self-reported cluster headache. Participants were recruited using a multi-channel approach, including direct outreach by clinicians, support from patient advocacy groups, and broad social media distribution. It collected data on demographics, treatment experiences, and perspectives on future research, including research priorities, and preferred outcomes and interventions. Additionally, participants' interest in joining clinical trials was assessed to help identify potential candidates for future studies. Of the 219 individuals who began the survey, 17 (8%) were excluded due to providing no responses beyond demographic data or reporting no cluster headache diagnosis by a healthcare professional. The final sample consisted of 202 participants, with an average age of 46 years, 77% aged 25-54 years, 55% male, 72% had been living with cluster headache for more than 10 years, and 29% reported attacks occurring almost every month throughout the year. A quarter of participants had not followed up with a healthcare provider for cluster headache management when they completed the survey. Among those who sought care (n = 145 [72%]), general practitioners were the most frequently consulted (86%), followed by neurologists (66%). Treatments were considered "not at all effective" or "somewhat ineffective" by 35% of all participants, while 27% reported only partial effectiveness. The main treatment challenges were ineffectiveness (74%), side effects (54%), cost (53%), and difficulties with access (39%). Among the 202 participants, 126 (62%) indicated interest in participating in future cluster headache trials, while 26 (13%) responded with "maybe." Psilocybin was the highest-ranked treatment in terms of participants who were "very interested," with 66% selecting this option. The combined proportion of participants who were "very interested" or "interested" was 84% for combination therapies, 82% for psilocybin, 71% for medical devices, and 66% for anti-CGRP treatments. Participants with reported cluster headache highlighted inadequate treatment options, emphasized the need for further research, and expressed interest in future clinical trials, particularly those involving psilocybin or combination therapies.

Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1) agonists have been traditionally used in the treatment of type II diabetes. However, in recent times they have become a cornerstone in the pharmacological management of weight loss, and their use is increasing rapidly. Interventional Radiologists (IRs) need to understand GLP-1 agonists as they will increasingly encounter patients taking these medications in their daily practice, with implications for quality of care. These drugs have the potential to impact fasting glucose levels and gastric emptying, with implications for peri-procedural management when giving conscious sedation for an IR procedure. There is a need for IRs to adapt to the modern landscape. This review discusses the pharmacological effects, peri-procedural implications, and the need for IR-specific guidance in managing patients taking GLP-1 agonists.

Biliary stent placement is a critical palliative treatment for obstructive jaundice due to malignancies. The site, either supra-ampullary (above the ampulla of Vater) or trans-ampullary (below the ampulla of Vater), may influence complication rates which significantly impact patient outcomes. This study evaluates the infection and obstruction rates associated with these two distinct stent placement strategies. Data from 66 patients who underwent biliary stent placements between 2017 and 2022 at our institution were analysed. Patients were categorised into two groups based on stent placement: supra-ampullary (12 patients) and trans-ampullary (54 patients). We assessed the incidence of infection within 30 and 90 days post-procedure and in these patients evidence of radiological stent obstruction. In the supra-ampullary group, infection rates were 41.67% within 30 days and 58.33% within 90 days post-procedure. The trans-ampullary group exhibited infection rates of 12.96% within 30 days and 20.37% within 90 days. Higher infection rates were observed in the supra-ampullary group at 30 days, and this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.020). The difference in infection rates at 90 days was also statistically significant (p = 0.008). In cases of infection where stent patency was investigated, radiologically confirmed stent obstructions (either stenosis or occlusion) within 90 days were not statistically significant (p = 0.296). Supra-ampullary stent placements are associated with higher rates of post-procedural infections compared to trans-ampullary placements at both timepoints, highlighting the importance of selecting optimal stent placement strategies to reduce infection rates and improve patient outcomes.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a muscular condition that often requires treatment by orthopaedic specialists leading to length waiting periods. The study aim was to examine associations between waiting time, physical function and psychosocial variables in individuals with lower limb OA awaiting orthopaedic consultation. Data were collected from 80 individuals. Physical function assessments included 6-minute walk test, timed up-and-go, chair stand test, and handgrip strength. The UCLA Loneliness Scale, Social Connectedness Scale, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 questionnaires were used. Linear or ordinal regressions were used to determine associations. Greater wait time was associated with higher depression symptoms (β = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.06, p = 0.015), but not social connectedness, loneliness, or physical function. Higher depression scores were related to increased loneliness (r = 0.582, p = <0.001), and lower social connectedness (r = -0.470, p = <0.001). Increased wait times are associated with elevated depression scores in individuals with lower limb OA. Shortening wait time may reduce the likelihood of developing depression.

The psychology of eating meat has emerged as a major field of study due to growing awareness of the negative impacts of excessive meat consumption on human and planetary health. Examining psychological profiles and testing strategies to address psychological barriers to meat reduction has become a prominent focus in psychology and various other disciplines. However, given the critical importance of psychometrically valid measurement tools in quantitative research, it is concerning that studies have largely relied on unvalidated, ad hoc survey instruments to measure meat consumption. To address this methodological gap this study aimed to develop and conduct an initial validation of a self-report questionnaire to measure an individual’s meat consumption and meat-eating intentions. The questionnaire was developed and evaluated through exploratory factor analysis (sample 1: N = 183 Australians) and confirmatory factor analysis (sample 2: N = 495 Australians). Construct validity was evaluated by confirming the scale’s underlying factor structure and through correlations with demographic variables and ten theoretically related constructs. Internal consistency reliability was assessed with mean inter-item correlations, corrected total-item correlations, and coefficient H. Exploratory factor analysis did not identify a latent meat-eating intention scale, but did reveal a unidimensional latent factor representing total land-based meat consumption, which was named The Meat Consumption Scale (MCS). Confirmatory factor analysis verified the unidimensional structure of the MCS, with all model fit indices demonstrating excellent model fit. All correlations between the MCS and ten theoretically related constructs and demographic variables were significant and in the hypothesised directions, providing preliminary evidence of construct validity. Internal consistency reliability of the MCS was acceptable in both samples when evaluated by mean inter-item correlations and corrected item-total correlations, though coefficient H fell just shy of the recommended threshold. Findings provide preliminary evidence of reliability and construct validity of The Meat Consumption Scale (MCS), which is the first psychometrically evaluated tool designed to measure an individual’s meat consumption using a fast (< 5 min) one-time assessment. This 12-item self-report questionnaire measures consumption of land-based meats—red meat (beef and lamb), poultry products, pork products, and other processed meats—over the past two-week period and is indicative of typical Western meat-eating patterns. The MCS is designed for cross-sectional and experimental research and applied contexts. Further validation of the scale, including assessment of criterion and discriminant validity and cross-cultural adaptations, is recommended.

ABSTRACTAimTo evaluate the relationship between the Bröset Violence Checklist and additional risk factors identified in prior research by our team to determine which combination best predicted an emergency response to a violent incident in an emergency department.DesignA prospective observational study was used to collect data about a single cohort of adult patients admitted in August 2024.MethodNurses who use the Bröset Violence Checklist as part of routine observations scored eight additional violence indicators and recorded security incidents.ResultsData from 5634 observations, 1762 patients, and 68 emergency incidents was analysed using a combination of descriptive and inferential statistics to evaluate the relationship between factors and incidents. Seven factors correlated significantly with violence (p < 0.05). Three factors (verbal threats, physical threats, and attacking objects) were excluded as they represent manifestations of violence rather than predictive indicators. Receiver Operating Characteristics analysis of the combination of the remaining four factors (history of violence, drug and/or alcohol influence, agitation/restlessness, and imposed restrictions) revealed an Area Under the Curve of 0.98.ConclusionThe findings were integrated to develop a revised instrument—the Aggression and Violence Evaluation of Risk Tool. This new tool demonstrates equivalent predictive capability to the Bröset Violence Checklist, yet it is simpler and easier to use.ImpactContext‐specific violence assessment schemes are needed to strengthen risk mitigation strategies. The Aggression and Violence Evaluation of Risk Tool incorporates unique situational risks developed specifically for emergency departments. It has the potential to effectively ameliorate violence risk and enhance worker and patient safety.Reporting MethodSTROBE has been followed.ImplicationsThe findings produced an instrument that can be translated to emergency departments to reduce the prevalence of violence.Patient or Public ContributionLimited patient and public involvement comprising observations of adult patients in an emergency department in Melbourne, Australia.