The making of child and adolescent psychiatrists in Australia and New Zealand

Child and adolescent psychiatry has an opportunity to adapt alongside the advancements in medical knowledge, post-graduate training, epidemiological realities and clinical service models. Here, we are guided by the mental health needs of our community’s young and their families in our review of child and adolescent psychiatry training in Australia and New Zealand. We recognise that training must respond to clinical demand and service reform while ensuring a range of clinical and educational experiences to deliver expectable competencies in order to produce child and adolescent psychiatrists that meet the communities’ needs now and in the future. We argue that training programmes be subject to rigorous evaluation by embedding continuing cycles of improvement including regular review and international bench marking.

Management of Men With Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Due to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia During and After COVID-19

The lower urinary tract (LUT), in particular the prostate, has been theoretically recognized as a target for SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, common pathophysiological mechanisms have been described for BPE/LUTS and COVID-19, including RAS dysregulation, androgen receptors, and MetS-related factors. These factors raise concerns about the possibility of worse urological outcomes due to BPE/LUTS progression in COVID-19 patients. The available results suggest a correlation between SARS-CoV-2 infection, exacerbation or new onset of LUTS, and semen impairment. BPE patients’ care and management have been deeply affected by COVID-19. In the midst of the pandemic, the main urological guidelines suggested postponement of BPH-related deferrable medical examinations and surgery. Telemedicine, therefore, gained attention and interest. Clinical evidence of impaired QoL or complications expedited surgical intervention. An informed consent covering the risk of COVID-19 and a negative molecular PCR within 72 hours of surgery were mandatory. A reduction in procedures under general anaesthesia was recommended. Long waiting lists accrued worldwide during the pandemic, leading to regular review of the BPE waiting lists and patients’ clinical status, encouraging the increase of minimally invasive office-based procedures, even in the post-COVID-19 era, and the improvement of telemedicine. Prospective studies are still needed to assess the course of LUTS/BPE patients after COVID-19.

Development of a conceptual framework for linking mHealth applications to eRecord systems in Botswana

Background The proliferation of mHealth solutions and eRecord systems is inevitable in developing countries, and ensuring their bi-directional interoperability is essential. Interoperability has been described as the ability for two or more systems or components to exchange information and use the information that has been exchanged. Given the importance of linking mHealth solutions to eRecord systems in the developing world, a suitable interoperability framework is required to provide an agreed approach to interoperability and specify common elements. Although eHealth interoperability frameworks exist in the literature, none meet all the requirements for linking mHealth solutions to eRecord systems in developing countries. The aim of this paper was to describe the design and development of a conceptual framework for linking mHealth solutions to eRecord systems in Botswana, as an exemplar. Methods An iterative and reflective process was adopted, supported by existing literature and research including consultations with eHealth experts, and guidance from existing frameworks. These collectively identified key elements, concepts, and standards relevant and essential for framework design and development. Results The mHealth-eRecord Interoperability Framework (mHeRIF) was developed which highlights the need for: governance and regulation of mHealth and eRecord systems, a national health information exchange, and which interoperability levels to achieve. Each of these are supported by integral themes and concepts. It also addresses the need for regular review, accreditation, and alignment of framework concepts and themes with a National eHealth Strategy Interoperability Development Process. To demonstrate the framework’s applicability, a proposed architecture for the Kgonafalo mobile telemedicine programme is presented. Conclusion Interoperable mHealth solutions and eRecords systems have the potential to strengthen health systems. This paper reports the design and development of an evidence-based mHeRIF to align with, build upon, and expand National eHealth Strategies by guiding the linking of mHealth solutions to eRecord systems in Botswana and other developing countries facing similar circumstances.

Rehabilitation Evidence-Based Decision-Making: The READ Model

Evidence-based practice is the foundation of rehabilitation for maximizing client outcomes. However, an unacceptably high number of ineffective or outdated interventions are still implemented, leading to sub-optimal outcomes for clients. This paper proposes the Rehabilitation Evidence bAsed Decision-Making (READ) Model, a decision-making algorithm for evidence-based decision-making in rehabilitation settings. The READ Model outlines a step-by-step layered process for healthcare professionals to collaboratively set goals, and to select appropriate interventions. The READ Model acknowledges the important multi-layered contributions of client's preferences and values, family supports available, and external environmental factors such as funding, availability of services and access. Healthcare professionals can apply the READ Model to choose interventions that are evidence-based, with an appropriate mode, dose, and with regular review, in order to achieve client's goals. Two case studies are used to demonstrate application of the READ Model: cerebral palsy and autism spectrum disorder. The READ Model applies the four central principles of evidence-based practice and can be applied across multiple rehabilitation settings.

Safety of emergency, elective and day case operating during the winter period at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust: lessons from the outcomes of 4,254 surgical patients from the first COVID-19 wave

Background There is limited evidence on perioperative outcomes of surgical patients during the COVID-19 pandemic to inform continued operating into the winter period. Methods We retrospectively analysed the rate of 30-day COVID-19 transmission and mortality of all surgical patients in the three hospitals in our trust in the East of England during the first lockdown in March 2020. All patients who underwent a swab were swabbed on or 24 hours prior to admission. Results There were 4,254 patients and an overall 30-day mortality of 0.99%. The excess surgical mortality in our region was 0.29%. There were 39 patients who were COVID-19 positive within 30 days of admission, 12 of whom died. All 12 were emergency admissions with a length of stay longer than 24 hours. There were three deaths among those who underwent day case surgery, one of whom was COVID-19 negative, and the other two were not swabbed but not suspected to have COVID-19. There were two COVID-19 positive elective cases and none in day case elective or emergency surgery. There were no COVID-19 positive deaths in elective or day case surgery. Conclusions There was a low rate of COVID-19 transmission and mortality in elective and day case operations. Our data have allowed us to guide patients in the consent process and provided the evidence base to restart elective and day case operating with precautions and regular review. A number of regions will be similarly affected and should perform a review of their data for the winter period and beyond.

Development of a Conceptual Framework for Linking mHealth Applications to eRecord Systems in Botswana

Background: The proliferation of mHealth solutions and eRecord systems is inevitable in developing countries, and ensuring their bi-directional interoperability is essential. Interoperability has been described as the ability for two or more systems or components to exchange information and use the information that has been exchanged. Given the importance of linking mHealth solutions to eRecord systems in the developing world, a suitable interoperability framework is required to provide an agreed approach to interoperability and specify common elements. Although eHealth interoperability frameworks exist in the literature, none meet all the requirements for linking mHealth solutions to eRecord systems in developing countries. The aim of this study was to describe the design and development of a conceptual framework for linking mHealth solutions to eRecord systems in Botswana, as an exemplar.Methods: An iterative and reflective process was adopted, supported by existing literature and research including consultations with eHealth experts, and guidance from existing frameworks. These collectively identified key elements, concepts, and standards relevant and essential for framework design and development.Results: The mHealth-eRecord Interoperability Framework (mHeRIF) was developed which highlights the need for: governance and regulation of mHealth and eRecord systems, a national health information exchange, and which interoperability levels to achieve. Each of these are supported by integral themes and concepts. It also addresses the need for regular review, accreditation, and alignment of framework concepts and themes with a National eHealth Strategy Interoperability Development Process. To demonstrate the framework’s applicability, a proposed architecture for the Kgonafalo mobile telemedicine programme is presented.Conclusion: Interoperable mHealth solutions and eRecords systems have the potential to strengthen health systems. This study reports the design and development of an evidence-based mHeRIF to align with, build upon, and expand National eHealth Strategies by guiding the linking of mHealth solutions to eRecord systems in Botswana and other developing countries facing similar circumstances.

New Zealand

As the smallest and most centralized in the Five Eyes community, New Zealand’s intelligence and security community, and the system that holds it accountable, is an outlier. New Zealand’s proximity to Australia is reflected in parallels in intelligence accountability between the two Tasman allies. On the one hand, its relatively smaller size is reflected in certain unique attributes of intelligence accountability, such as its limited scope and access to sensitive material. On the other hand, its more modest size has been beneficial in driving innovation that has subsequently been adopted elsewhere, notably the double lock system for warrants. The chapter reviews the member organizations of the New Zealand’s National Intelligence Community, the particular strategic environment that has informed intelligence and accountability in New Zealand, its rather distinct national security threats, as well as New Zealand’s modest, centralized yet innovative intelligence accountability architecture: the Inspector General of Intelligence and Security, which has an Advisory Panel that is an attribute unique to New Zealand, the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, and the Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants. New Zealand’s experience draws attention to economies of effort to be harnessed for scarce resources on the big collectors and assessor rather than other government clients that only receive intelligence. New Zealand also differs from other Five Eyes parliamentary intelligence committees in granting only limited access to sensitive operational matters or information. Mandatory regular review of legislation offers an opportunity to assess for efficacy and propose comprehensive improvements to innovate agencies and practices.

Diabetic Retinopathy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients Attending the Diabetic Clinic of the University of Gondar Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia

Objective. To investigate the level of diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients attending the University of Gondar Hospital (UGH) Diabetic Clinic, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods. An audit was carried out involving a total of 739 T2DM patients attending at the diabetic clinic of UGH. They represented approximately 90% and 50% of all T2DM patients under regular review at the urban and rural diabetic clinics of UGH, respectively. All were supervised by the same clinical team for a long period. Eye examinations were performed for visual acuity, cataract, and retinal changes (retinal photography and slit-lamp biomicroscopy). Body mass index (BMI) and HbA1c levels were measured. The presence or absence of hypertension was recorded. Results. Men constituted 41.5% of the group, the mean age at diagnosis of T2DM was 50.4 years, and 50.2% were hypertensive. The BMI was 25.0 ± 4.1 kg/m2, and HbA1c was 7.75 ± 1.63% (61.2 ± 17.8 mmol/mol) (mean ± SD, for BMI and HbA1c)). Severe visual impairment/blindness was reported in 10.6%, 15.2% had cataract, 16.0% had retinopathy, and 11.1% had maculopathy. The prevalence of retinopathy increased with time from diagnosis of T2DM (chi-square for trend, p < 0.001 ) and with increasing HbA1c level (chi-square for trend, p = 0.03 ). Conclusion. These results compare well with the most recent results in well-equipped, wealthier regions of the world and show the importance of stable healthcare infrastructure for chronic-disease management.

A review on water governance in Sri Lanka: the lessons learnt for future water policy formulation

Sri Lanka has no water scarcity within the country, and per capita, water availability is adequate to cater for the country's estimated peak population. Nevertheless, the frequent variability of spatial and temporal water availability and extreme events have built up a water scarcity in Sri Lanka, which has been observed during the last two to three decades. Therefore, effective and efficient water governance is most important in today's context, and regular review and amendment of policies, laws, and regulations are crucial to mitigate water scarcity. Although a few attempts were initiated, none of them succeeded. In this study, historical and present water governance mechanisms, including coordinating mechanisms and implementing water management agencies in Sri Lanka, were comprehensively reviewed. Further, the previously proposed water policies, their status and reasons for the failures of policies were discussed. Finally, the formulation of a novel institutional arrangement or altering the existing institutional arrangement with shared data and allocating non-shared responsibilities to each institution is suggested for better water governance in Sri Lanka.

Looking for the “Little Things”: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Medicines Monitoring for Older People Using the ADRe Resource

Advances in medicines have increased the effectiveness of treatments and the social and cultural authority of doctors. However, as prescribing has become the dominant modality of treatment, the “pharmaceuticalization” of medical practice has often resulted in treatment “at a distance”, with doctors having limited contact with patients. Older and poorer people, who are socially distanced from medical prescribers, suffer more adverse drug reactions (ADRs) than the general population. A team approach to checking patients systematically for ADRs, as detailed in manufacturers’ literature, can minimise medication errors, but regular review is rare. This paper explains the benefits of medicines monitoring to protect older patients from iatrogenic harm, such as over-sedation, falls, or drug-induced Parkinsonism. We show how multidisciplinary initiatives to optimise prescribing can be supported by using a recognised resource—the adverse drug reaction profile (ADRe). The profile identifies and documents patients’ signs and symptoms of putative ADRs. Better monitoring allows professionals to adjust prescribing and respond to identified problems with agility. Implementation of systematic monitoring will require changes to the regulatory regime and better inter-professional cooperation. Providing carers, nurses and pharmacists with a structured system to monitor patients would democratise relevant medical knowledge and help address ageism and the socio-economic health divide.