Scholarship success for early researchers
“To be given the opportunity to do much-needed research such as this, and to have this research supported by an organisation such as Clifford Craig is a great feeling and a great motivator for myself and future researchers” – Scholarship recipient, Jessica Spokes
March 2022
In 2021 the Clifford Craig Foundation extended its commitment to research education at the Launceston General Hospital through an Introduction to Research Course.
Commencing in April and led by gastroenterologist Professor Nicholas Shackel, the six-week course was designed to provide clinicians in medicine, nursing and allied health with the skills to undertake their own medical research projects.
Through this, and thanks to a philanthropic support of the Cuthill Family Foundation, participants were encouraged to apply for two Early Career Research Scholarships.
Worth $12,500 each, the scholarships are aimed at supporting up-and-coming clinicians with translational research projects.
We are now thrilled to introduce the two recipients of these scholarships: LGH Nurse Emma Szycman and pharmacist Jessica Spokes.
Reducing antipsychotic use in dementia through pharmacist-led intervention – Jessica Spokes – $12,500
Dementia is estimated to effect up to 436,000 Australians and is the leading cause of death nationwide. Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPDS) are often triggered during hospital admission.
Many symptoms of BPSD such as wandering and calling out are unlikely to response to antipsychotic medications.
The only means by which an antipsychotic may have efficacy in this case is by sedating the patient, which constitutes inappropriate restraint.
Risperidone is the only antipsychotic indicated for use in dementia in Australia, however studies have shown only an 8% decrease in behaviour severity.
Only one trial has investigated the possibility of reducing antipsychotic use in Australian hospitals, however this did not assess the frequency of behaviours, cost-effectiveness, or reductions in lengths of stay.
This study aims to investigate these gaps in the literature to assess the feasibility of a Geriatric Antipsychotic Stewardship (GApS) Pharmacist to encourage de-escalation of antipsychotic medications in patients with dementia.
It will be the first in Australia to examine the 6-month feasibility of antipsychotic stewardship on improving patient outcomes and reducing adverse effects, length of stay and the associated costs.
Improving patient outcomes in disease of the gut-bowel preparation - Emma Szycman - $12,500
While colonoscopy remains the preferred ‘gold standard’ screening strategy for bowel cancer, poor preparation of the bowel prior to a screening often means the bowel is not clear enough for a doctor to carry out a thorough inspection.
At the LGH about 50 colonoscopies are performed each week.
However, it is estimated that adequate bowel preparation is only seen in between 60-70% of cases.
Considered annually, this means up to 780 colonoscopies need to be repeated each year – an annual cost of at least $878,000.
This research project will examine the variables and clinical variations associated with inadequate bowel preparations.
It is hoped that by better understanding why patients are having inadequate bowel preparations, health professionals can address the problems identified to deliver more efficient, safer and a higher standard of gastroenterology healthcare to patients.
This includes improved patient outcomes, satisfaction and reduced costs.