Working together to improve the lives of people with brain impairment

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Job Opportunities

Applications are now open for our fifth icare Brain Injury Psychiatry Fellowship based at both Liverpool and Wollongong Hospitals, commencing in August 2020. This position is a fantastic opportunity for a Stage 3 Psychiatry trainee to receive specialist training in brain injury and to join the network of fellowships currently running across NSW at Royal Rehab, Royal North Shore Hospital, Westmead Hospital, Mater Hospital and John Hunter Hospital as well as affiliated brain injury rehabilitation services.

Further details and to apply, please click on this link: https://nswjmo.erecruit.com.au/ViewPosition.aspx?Id=22367&jbc=ere 

Applications close 1^st June 2020.

Perceptions and experiences of Australian healthcare professionals talking about sexuality with individuals after ABI

We are wondering whether you may be able to complete a brief online survey that we have developed to explore the perceptions and experiences of Australian healthcare professionals talking about sexuality with individuals after ABI. 

We estimate the survey will take approx. 10-15 minutes to complete. Your responses are completely anonymous. There is also an opportunity at the end of the survey to engage in a follow-up interview. 

If you know of other Australian healthcare professionals working with patients with ABI who would be suitable for this study, we would greatly appreciate if you could forward this email. 

Further information is available in the Explanatory Statement attached. 

Please use this survey link: https://monash.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1YZ2TSlyUEJHFUF

CLICK HERE FOR THE EXPLORATORY STATEMENT

Thank you so much in anticipation of your help.

Yours sincerely,

Professor Jennie Ponsford, AO

COVID-19 and Dementia Research Survey

The Frontier research clinic at the Brain and Mind Centre has just launched a survey to try to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on those living with dementia and their caregivers. We hope that this data will help us to develop and provide better support for people living with dementia, and their families.

Click Here to participate in the survey.

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

The Social Brain Toolkit: Looking for Participants

Researchers at The University of Sydney and University of Technology Sydney in partnership with Brain Injury Australia are developing a set of online tools to improve face-to-face and online interactions after brain injury. The tools will include a short online course on communicating with people with brain injury, a short online course for people with brain injury about using social media, and an online platform for people with brain injury and communication partners to complete communication skills training together. This project has been received ethical approval from Western Sydney Local Health District Human Research Ethics Committee. We are now looking for volunteers to help us design and test these tools, to make sure they match the needs of the people who will use them. We are looking for:

• Professionals who interact with people with brain injury.
• Support workers of people with brain injury
• People with brain injury who can speak English, who have some communication problems, and some insight into these problems. 
• Family members, friends, and carers of people with brain injury, who can speak English

Participants will complete interviews over videoconferencing (Zoom) to give their input on how these online tools should be designed. As the tools are developed, we will seek feedback from volunteers at each stage. If you would like to receive further information about the study (either to participate yourself, or to share with your contacts), please contact Petra Avramovic (speech pathologist and PhD candidate at the University of Sydney) at pavr1731@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 7 days 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. 

Speech pathology for adults following traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Our research team are exploring the lived experiences of adults when receiving speech pathology services in community settings (e.g. community-rehabilitation services, day hospital, private practice).

The study is open to adults following TBI and/or their significant others in the Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich areas and surrounds and involves a one hour interview at the participant's home or a location convenient to them. Alternatively, significant other participants can complete a video call.

All participants can go into a draw to win a $50 Coles/Myer voucher. For more information about the study go to https://sites.google.com/griffithuni.edu.au/speechpathologystudy/home  or contact Crystal Kelly (crystal.kelly@griffith.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

Dear occupational therapists,

As part of my MPhil research project I am investigating assessment of functional cognition following acute TBI. I aim to understand what influences your thinking when you are deciding which assessments to use and establish which assessments are currently used in acute care in Australia. If you have experience working with patients who have had a TBI in acute care, I need your help in completing an online survey. It typically takes 10-15 minutes to complete and your responses to the survey will remain anonymous. If you are able to participate please click on the link below to the survey. Following completion of the survey, you will be asked if you are interested in taking part in an interview to discuss the topic in more detail. A participant information and consent form for this project is attached to this email. Many thanks for your time. Click this link to be directed to the online survey.

Kathy Goodchild Occupational Therapist Senior Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital
Ph: (07) 3646 8111 & pager 42609
Katherine.goodchild@health.qld.gov.au s3335318@student.uq.edu.au
uniofqueensland.syd1.qualtrics.com • 1 min read
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Recruiting people with ABI and family members for a study on cyberscam experiences:

Last year we conducted a study of clinicians and service provider's about their experiences of supporting people with ABI to avoid and recover from online scams. 

Thank you to those of you who took part.

We are now conducting in-depth interviews with cyberscam survivors with and without ABI, and family members or close others. These can be conducted over the phone or a video call.

If you have a client who may be interested, can manage an interview and provide consent to take part, please contact Kate Gould (kate.gould@monash.edu) or Jao Carminati (jjcar6@student.monash.edu), who can send you the study flier and detailed project information.

ASSBI Fellow