Working together to improve the lives of people with brain impairment

The Centre for Functioning and Health Research (CFAHR) and The University of Queensland are currently seeking a Principal Research Fellow (HP6, $134 649 - $139 382 per annum, 3 year fixed term contract) with a background in social work.

CFAHR is a research centre of health practitioners with a vision to lead collaborative, multi-disciplinary research along the health continuum and a mission to produce internationally relevant research towards advancement of Allied Health service delivery that is responsive to personal and environmental contexts.

The advertised role develops, enhances and provides strategic management of a Metro South HHS Health Practitioner research agenda by applying highly developed research knowledge, skills and expertise. The position provides highly developed research leadership including supervision, training, education, mentoring and assistance to senior research staff and research students. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO APPLY

Seeking volunteers for Multiple Errands Test (MET) research

The MET uses a standardised shopping-based task, performed in a real-world environment, to explore cognitive function.  This study aims to enhance interpretation of MET results, by describing performance patterns and identifying factors that impact them.  We are seeking individuals with mild severity cognitive impairment and controls with intact cognition, to participate in a 1-hour session in North Brisbane.  

Health professionals are invited to share study details with any individual fitting the broad eligibility criteria outlined in the
attached flyer. Health professionals themselves may participate if they are not familiar with common cognitive screens.

This study has received ethics approval from the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital and the University of Queensland.
Sincerest thanks for your interest and support,
Shannon Scarff

VaLiANT (Valued Living After Neurological Trauma) group program

Dr Dana Wong and team are currently recruiting participants for VaLiANT which is being run at the La Trobe Psychology Clinic as part of a randomised controlled trial. VaLiANT is designed to enhance psychological adjustment/wellbeing by focusing on valued living - i.e., participating in activities that are consistent with personal values - after acquired brain injury. It is a newly developed intervention that integrates cognitive rehabilitation (using evidence-based compensatory strategies) and psychological therapy (using techniques and principles from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy). Participation is free. It is for adults aged 18+ who:

• have had an ABI (including stroke, TBI or other non-degenerative ABI)
• could attend the 8-week program at the La Trobe Psychology Clinic (in Bundoora, VIC)
• have experienced cognitive and/or emotional changes post-ABI that have impacted on their participation in valued activities.

Participants may be randomised to receive the intervention immediately or after a 4-month waiting period. However, we are using a 2:1 randomisation schedule which means that participants are more likely to receive the intervention straight away.

If you would like to make a referral, please email valiant@latrobe.edu.auor call (03) 9479 1679. More info is also here:

https://www.latrobe.edu.au/psychology-clinic/services/group-programs/valiant-group.

Download the flyer here

Memory-SuSTAIN study

Memory-SuSTAIN is a new study investigating methods for sustaining gains made in memory rehabilitation post-stroke. There is a memory group running at Austin Health (in Heidelberg, VIC) starting early in 2020. Participants can attend this group for free and will then be offered one of three different ‘maintenance’ options. Referrals can be made for stroke survivors who are not Austin Health patients. If you know anyone who may be interested, please email through your referral to either Dr Dana Wong (d.wong@latrobe.edu.au) or Dr Jenny Bradshaw (Jennifer.BRADSHAW@austin.org.au) by the end of the year.

Download the flyer here

Invitation to participate in Online Survey: Assessment and Management of Acute TBI

Dear WFNR Members

If you are a health professional who works in a neurosurgery unit, neurotrauma unit or rehabilitation service and/or has experience working in acute TBI care, we would be grateful if you could complete an anonymous online survey regarding the assessment and management of patients in the acute stages of TBI recovery (i.e. post-traumatic amnesia).

We estimate the survey will take approx. 15 minutes to complete and your responses are completely anonymous. There is also an opportunity at the end of the survey to engage in a follow-up interview, for clinicians who wish to provide additional information. Further information is available in the Explanatory Statement attached.

Please see below for the survey link:

https://monash.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_265YEflO5NyOweN

Thank you so much in anticipation of your help.

Yours sincerely,

Professor Jennie Ponsford, AO

Online tools to support communication skills after TBI

In 2020, a team from The University of Sydney, University of Technology Sydney, Brain Injury Australia and Changineers will be developing new online tools to support communication skills after TBI. This project has received funding from the icare foundation. The tools will include an online course about communicating with someone after TBI, a learning module about using social media after TBI, and an online portal to support a person with TBI and their communication partner to complete a communication skills program. We will be looking for professionals experienced in working with people with TBI to help us design and test these tools.

To receive updates about this project, please send an email to Rachael Rietdijk at rman7827@uni.sydney.edu.au.

Recruiting for CREST Concussion Study 

The Neurotrauma team at Curtin University and the Perron Institute, led by Professor Lindy Fitzgerald, are currently recruiting participants for an exciting new study on concussion- the CREST Concussion REcovery STudy. This study is the largest of its kind in Western Australia and involves a range of techniques that are at the forefront of concussion research.

The aim of the study is to identify factors which may predict individuals at increased risk of delayed recovery following concussion to better manage treatment and improve recovery. 

Within the past 48 hours have you sustained a concussion injury from any cause (e.g. falls, transport accidents, sports-related concussions), been diagnosed by a medical doctor and aged between 18-65 years? 

For more information or to see if you are eligible, please email concussionstudy@curtin.edu.au or phone 0466 526 849. 

The 2019/2020 AOD National Workforce Survey

It’s been over 10 years since the last national survey of the AOD workforce. The 2019/2020 AOD National Workforce Survey is an opportunity for AOD workers to share your views. Tell us about your what you do, how you experience your work, your wellbeing and professional development needs.

To complete the survey, click here. 

The survey is open until early 2020 and takes about 15-20 minutes.

Your survey input will help provide the crucial insights to inform evidence-based policy, practices, programs and funding to support the AOD workforce. The Survey will provide consistent insights for the AOD sector Australia-wide and complements workforce surveys conducted independently in each jurisdiction. The survey is being conducted by the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA, Flinders University, funded by the Australian Government Department of Health.

All workers in the AOD sector are invited to participate, including those in client service, management, project, administration and other roles.

For more information about the survey contact the Project Manager Dr Natalie Skinner (natalie.skinner@flinders.edu.au) or go to the NCETA website. All participants who complete the survey will go into a draw to win an iPad mini. Please feel free to forward this information and encourage your colleagues and work mates to participate.

“COMPARE RCT now at 90% recruitment!”

Do you know someone in Australia or New Zealand with aphasia after stroke (>6 months after stroke onset)?

Would they be interested in participating in a study comparing two intensive aphasia therapies (Constraint induced aphasia therapy ; Multi-modality aphasia therapy)? Would they like the opportunity to contribute to the aphasia intervention evidence base and receive 30 hours of aphasia therapy?

Please contact us on (03) 9479 2776, compareaphasia@latrobe.edu.au or via our website www.latrobe.edu.au/COMPARE. Remaining spots filling fast.

Community-based rehabilitation for adults following traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Did you know the majority of people who experience a TBI will have some form of communication impairment, which for many presents as a cognitive-communication disorder (MacDonald and Wiseman-Hakes, 2010)? The purpose of this study is to explore the lived experiences of adults with cognitive-communication disorders following TBI as well as their significant others. We are seeking participants who have received speech pathology services in the community and are located in the Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich and Gold Coast areas (and surrounds) to participate in this study.

What is involved?

A Griffith University researcher will conduct a one-hour face-to-face interview at a location convenient to the participants. During the interview participants will be asked to reflect on any experiences they have had receiving community-based rehabilitation services and their recommendations for future models of care for this population.

What next?

Health professionals are invited to share the details of this study with any clients they feel would be interested in participating. If you would like to participate or have any questions about the study please contact Crystal Kelly (ph: 0419568552, crystal.kelly@griffithuni.edu.au)

GU ref no: 2019/512

Light Therapy for ABI Study

We are currently seeking referrals for a randomised controlled trial evaluating the impact of in-home light therapy on post-brain injury fatigue, as well as daytime sleepiness, sleep quality and mood. The study entails 7 study visits over a 5-6 month period in the participant's home and exposure to a tailored light therapy program. Ceiling lights and lamps are installed by a certified electrician, using participant's pre-existing fixtures. 

It is for adults aged 18+ who:

• Have had a TBI (mild, moderate or severe) OR
• Stroke
• Reports experiencing significant fatigue
• Is 3+ months post-injury (participants may also be many years post-injury eg. 20-30 years).
• Lives within the greater Melbourne area (up to 2 hr drive).

The study has been developed at Monash University in conjunction with the Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre (MERRC) by Professors Jennie Ponsford, Shantha Rajaratnam, Steven Lockley and myself. The project has been approved by the Epworth HealthCare Human Research Ethics Committee.

If you would like any further information or would like to refer a potential participant, please don’t hesitate to contact me at laura.connolly@monash.edu or 0419 372 468. Download the flyer here

Brightwater Lyn Beazley and Curtin PhD Scholarship in Brain Injury Rehabilitation

Applications close on 15 February 2020.

Brightwater Care Group in partnership with the Curtin School of Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Speech Pathology and the Faculty of Health Sciences, are offering this joint PhD scholarship in brain injury rehabilitation. Brightwater is a leading WA not-for-profit provider of aged care, disability and retirement services. Professor Lyn Beazley AO, former Chief Scientist of WA, is a generous and long-term advocate of Brightwater, in particular Brightwater’s Oats Street Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre. The scholarship will provide the recipient the opportunity to have real life experience.

The scholarship consists of a living stipend of $30k per annum for up to 3.5 years plus $5,000 per annum for up to 3 years towards research related expenses.

Click Here to apply

ASSBI Fellow