Editorial
Welcome to the first homepage edition of i2P for 2012.
In many ways it has been a slow start to the New Year because of having to deal with the “leftovers” from 2011.
One of those items for i2P was that a third-party provider to the site did not advise of a code change to the security section in our subscribe panel, creating a range of frustrated subscribers not able to get on board.
We apologise to all those potential subscribers who were unable to register with us in the second half of 2011, but if you try once more you should have no problem.
Columns
Rollo Manning: Pharma-Goss
Linda Bryant: Inside NZ
Loretta Marron BSc: Health Watch
Barry Urquhart: Marketing Focus
Mark Neuenschwander: I`ve been thinking about...Recent Comments
Past Editions
Volume 1 Number 1
Volume 1 Number 2
Volume 1 Number 3
Volume 1 Number 4
Volume 1 Number 5
Volume 1 Number 6
Volume 1 Number 7
Volume 2 Number 1
Volume 2 Number 2
Volume 2 Number 3
Volume 2 Number 4
Volume 2 Number 5
Volume 2 Number 6
Volume 2 Number 7
Volume 2 Number 8
Volume 2 Number 9
Volume 2 Number 10
Volume 2 Number 11
Volume 3 Number 1
Volume 3 Number 2
Volume 3 Number 3
Volume 3 Number 4
Volume 3 Number 5
Volume 3 Number 6
Volume 3 Number 7
Volume 3 Number 8
Volume 3 Number 9
Volume 3 Number 10
Volume 3 Number 11
Volume 2012 Number 1
Health Politics
Neil Johnston: Friends of Science in Medicine
James Ellerson: $75.5 million in 5CPA lying idle. Why is it so?EPublications
Using "Exergames" for Stroke and Falls Prevention
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PDF version | Peter Sayers |
Peter Sayers is vitally concerned about pharmacy professional practice - its innovation, its research and development, and its delivery to create an ongoing revenue stream. Delivery of healthcare is increasingly involved with Information Technology systems. All perspectives in IT must be considered for the impact on pharmacy practice and its viability. | |
"Exergames", like Nintendo Wii, are usually designed for fun, recreation and exercise.
However, they are gradually being transformed into tools to treat depression, assist in stroke rehabilitation and improve mental health-related quality of life.
Currently researchers are exploring the potential of "exergames" to reduce the risk of falls in older adults.
When people walk through their own environment they may be subjected to an occasional "trip" or "slip" that could result in a fall if people are unable to make an adjustment to quickly and accurately to recover their balance.
Stepping is something that few of us think about, yet our ability to step declines with age, increasing our risk of having a fall.
Now the same exergames are set to become medical tools linked to a range of health programs, hopefully connected to the National Broadband Network.
It struck me that this may represent an opportunity for pharmacists to be involved in the supply of this type of equipment and assist in the training and supervision of patients involved in this evolving list of programs.
It also provides a link with aged care and community nursing and may provide a useful service in a pharmacy-style walk-in clinic, providing pharmacists with a "hands on" entry point to patient care.
This lack of "hands on" activity often sees pharmacists ignored in the primary health care practice activities.
Stroke patients will be some of the first people to benefit from the National Broadband Network via a project to deliver remote rehabilitation therapy using Nintendo Wii.
“Stroke patients in regional or remote areas find it difficult to access rehabilitation services,” said lead researcher Dr Penelope McNulty from Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA).
“This project will assess the feasibility of offering high-quality, remotely-monitored rehabilitation where access to therapy is currently restricted or non-existent.”
NeuRA and NBN Co will work together to test the delivery of rehabilitation training to people with stroke-affected hands and arms using the National Broadband Network in their homes.
“Studies at Neuroscience Research Australia have shown that this form of therapy can significantly improve movement after only two weeks,” said Dr McNulty.
Mike Quigley, who started as NBN Co Chief Executive in July last year and is on the NeuRA board, has donated his first year’s salary - $2 million - to fund this project, as well as other projects at NeuRA, including the construction of the Neuroscience Research Precinct.
“This project combines my two great passions in life – medical research, from which I have personally benefitted, and telecommunications. I am a true believer in the ability of fast broadband networks to deliver significant social and economic benefits,” Mr Quigley said.
“This research project is a great example of the improvement in healthcare delivery that will be possible using the speed and coverage of the National Broadband Network,” said Mr Quigley.
“This is particularly important in remote locations and to those who have difficulty travelling to receive care. As our population ages, neurological diseases will be a big cost to the community, and cost-effective, broadband-based health solutions will be of growing importance,” he said
Every year over 60,000 Australians have a stroke, making it a leading cause of disability (National Stroke Foundation). Rehabilitation is the only method to recover movement of stroke-affected limbs.
Each participant will take part in ten one-hour sessions at home over a two-week period. They will be supervised by a therapist in Sydney, who will use the network to receive high quality video images and sensor data to analyse the patient’s movements and provide feedback.
“This generous donation is a vote of confidence in our e-health initiatives, which have the potential to greatly reduce demands on our healthcare system,” said Prof Peter Schofield, CEO of Neuroscience Research Australia.
“With this project, we hope to significantly increase opportunities for recovery for stroke patients across the country. As Australia ages, we believe faster broadband will be of increasing importance in patient care and rehabilitation,” said Prof Schofield.
Pharmacists must consider whether they are e-capable because the whole spectrum of health is about to change to absorb a range of innovations that are already in the pipeline.
Research Reports
Dr Andrew Byrne & Associates: Tranquillizer use rife amongst OTP subjects world-wide, most legally prescribedPractice Development
Neil Retallick: Are the discounters impacting community pharmacy beyond margin erosion? | open full screen
Kay Dunkley - BPharm, Grad Dip Hosp Pharm, Grad Dip Health Admin, MPS, MSHPA: Support services for pharmacists and doctors in the United Kingdom – Part 3 Royal Medical Benevolent Fund | open full screen
Staff Writer: Catch the early wave in 2012 and secure your valuable CPD Credits at the Guild Pharmacy Academy – NSW Convention | open full screen
Information Technology
Dr David More: Australian Health Information Technology LinksIndigenous Health
Preventive Medicine
Gerald Quigley: It’s Time!If any difficulty is found in subscribing, please use the "Contact Us" panel found in the navigation bar with the message "subscribe" and your email address.
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