FORUM FOSTERS DIALOGUE BETWEEN BREAST CANCER LIVED EXPERIENCE ADVOCATES, RESEARCHERS AND CLINICIANS Organised by the University of Queensland and Translational Research Institute
In October 2024, the Frazier Institute hosted an event dedicated to breast cancer advocacy and research, supported by TRI (Translational Research Institute), National Breast Cancer Foundation, PA Research Foundation, Health Translation Queensland, QUT and The University of Queensland Faculty of Medicine/Frazer Institute.
The key aim of the event co-organised by Associate Professor Joy Wolfram, Group Leader, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology & School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland was to foster dialogue between breast cancer lived experience advocates (consumers), researchers, and clinicians.
Co-organiser Associate Professor Fernando Guimaraes, Group Leader, Principal Research Fellow, Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland spoke to Australian Health Journal about the need to host the event and regularly engage with consumers.
Jo Maxwell, Principal Project Officer, Consumer and Community Involvement in Research Strategy and Support at The University of Queensland also spoke about the standards for consumer participation and collaboration adopted from the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2).
“IAP2 guides the researcher to structure consumer involvement all through the different stages of their research”, says Maxwell.
Associate Professor Cleola Anderiesz, Chief Executive Officer National Breast Cancer Foundation presented at the Forum and spoke to Australian Health Journal on the impact of engagement when communities, researchers and clinicians come together to hear about the latest research and discuss a future of better breast cancer care and outcomes.
The day long event was enlightening and impactful. The forum in Brisbane included a workshop focused on creating international connections between breast cancer consumers in Australia and the United States, with insights from leading breast cancer oncologists, clinicians, consumers, researchers, and community.
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Study on digital tool for pharmacists in aged care
In March 2022, the Australia government announced $350 million of funding over 4 years to employ on-site pharmacists in residential aged care, starting July 2023. In April 2023, the government made changes to the proposed on-site pharmacists, where the new program will now be delivered by and through community pharmacies. Regardless of how the model will be implemented, the goal remains the same – to improve quality use of medicines and medicines safety for aged care residents.
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Awareness campaigns and HCP Toolkits for thyroid health
In 2021, the Australian Thyroid Foundation released analysis to show, well over 1 million Australian are living with an undiagnosed thyroid disorder, including thyroid cancer, lower IQs, lifelong disability, and a causal or possible contributory factor – in the development of other neurological disorders such as ADHD and autism. Some of the challenges for diagnosis and treatment can be addressed by producing material for health care practitioners during patient presentations.
‘Recent statistics show well over 1 million Australians are living with an undiagnosed thyroid disorder, awareness and testing can prevent unwarranted outcomes for mothers and their babies’ says ATF CEO Beverley Garside OAM
The Australian Thyroid Foundation has lodged a Pre-Budget Submission for the Federal Budget 2024-25 to counter increasing misinformation on social media creating dietary deficiencies such as an increasing number of young women, who are planning pregnancy or already pregnant opting for plant based milks such almond, soy or oat milk coffee as an alternative to standard cow’s milk, which is a source of iodine and alternate milks do not include.
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Landmark research projects tackle critical issues in emergency healthcare
For two decades, the demand for emergency department services in Australia has outpaced population growth and wait times have increased. In 2022-2023 more than 8.8 million emergency department presentations occurred nationwide.
While demand is a contributing factor, EDs are currently being impacted by various factors across the entire health system.
The Emergency Medicine Foundation (EMF) is a non-profit organisation funding innovative Australian research that improves the way people are cared for in a medical emergency. The aim of the research is to deliver better and more effective health services to save lives and money.
