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Welcome to the May issue of Wombat News.
This monthly update will be a regular source of
important information on Wombat workshops, events and other news.
In this issue:
WORKSHOP ROUND-UP
WOMBAT Writing a Protocol for an RCT Workshop 2007
A group of 20 people from a variety of clinical and research backgrounds
attended the latest WOMBAT Writing a Protocol workshop, held in the lead
up to PSANZ 2007 in Melbourne. Led by Professor Caroline Crowther, the
workshop included updated content and materials giving participants an
insight into the latest thinking in randomised clinical trial design and
methodology. Held over a day and a half the workshop enabled
participants to work in groups to develop the framework for a trial
protocol. Six groups developed their ideas for trials into a protocol
document containing the key elements of their trial design. A newly
developed Workbook provided participants with a practical resource for
further development of their trial protocols after the workshop.
What the participants said:
Discussing a study an individual wants to do throughout workshop was
invaluable!
Great networking and hearing about other trial ideas. “Enthusiasm of
others is contagious”
The Designing a protocol for a maternal or perinatal RCT Workbook is
available to download from the WOMBAT website (visit the
Resources for
Trialists page ).
WOMBAT/IMPACT Recruitment Workshop
The WOMBAT Collaboration and the IMPACT Network jointly facilitated a
workshop focusing on the important and challenging issue of recruitment
to RCTs in maternal and perinatal health, as part of the IMPACT Network
meeting held prior to PSANZ. Participants heard about the latest
research on recruitment and discussed barriers and facilitators to
recruitment to perinatal trials as well as sharing strategies which have
been successful in enhancing the recruitment effort. Copies of the
workshop presentations and notes are available on the WOMBAT website
Resources for
Trialists page. Look out for more on recruitment
in future Newsletters.
MEETINGS / WORKSHOPS
Further information available on the wombat website " Conferences" page
May 2007, Sydney
Perusing the Perineum: Evidence, Experience and Education
UTS, Broadway, Sydney
May 25
This is a seminar designed by the Centre for Midwifery, Child and
Family Health at the University of Technology, Sydney for midwives,
obstetricians and educators involved in perinatal care.
Expert practitioners and researchers from backgrounds including
midwifery, urogynaecology, physiotherapy and obstetrics will present
on a range of issues. Topics include preventing perineal trauma during
birth, perineal repair, effective pelvic floor care and Caesarian
Section to protect the pelvic floor.
For programme information and registration details:
http://www.nmh.uts.edu.au/cmcfh/news_events/ or email
priya.nair@uts.edu.au
June 2007, Sydney
The George Institute: three day course - statistical principles and
methodologies
The Darlington Centre, City Road, University of Sydney
June 12-14
This three day course aims to build an up-to-date understanding of the
statistical principles and methodologies that can be used in
biostatistics, epidemiology, public health and medical research.
The course will offer all the necessary tools for designing
epidemiological studies, analysing data from such studies and
interpreting the results. The chief theme will be the study of the
relationship between risk factor exposures and the development of
diseases in the human population.
The course will use real examples, including computer demonstrations
using Excel and STATA. Basic knowledge of statistics, such as might be
assimilated from a medical degree course, or a first year course in
statistics as part of a science degree, are assumed.
For programme information and registration details:
http://www.thegeorgeinstitute.org/events/calendar-of-events-details-/event-details-administration.cfm?obj_uuid=E2E2B6ED-A3F9-542A-10AB-22CF532B94CD
July 2007, Brisbane
Symposium for Australasian Review Authors 2007
July 12-13
Each year the Australasian Cochrane Centre hosts a meeting for
Australasian contributors to the Cochrane Collaboration. This year, to
coincide with the major update to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic
Reviews of Interventions and the release of RevMan 5, we will be
hosting a Symposium for Australasian review authors in Brisbane.
July 14
Developing a Protocol for a Systematic Review Workshop
For programme information and registration details:
http://www.cochrane.org.au/symposium/symposium_.php
July 2007, Townsville
Women's & Babies Health & Wellbeing: Improving Outcomes
Saturday July 28
Hosted by the Northern Education Branch of the Neonatal Nurses of
Queensland Association
Workshop details available soon on the wombat website
For details contact Rebecca Tooher:
Rebecca.Tooher@adelaide.edu.au
August 2007, Melbourne
Australian Breastfeeding Conference
Melbourne Exhibition & Convention Centre
August 2-4
Hot Milk is the Australian Breastfeeding Association’s largest ever
National Conference.
· It aims to bring together supporters on Breastfeeding and the
Australian Breastfeeding Association nationally and internationally
· It aims to present the latest in Breastfeeding Research and clinical
practice
· It aims to honour the history of the Australian Breastfeeding
Association
· It aims to provide a focus on the future of breastfeeding
information and support in Australia
· It aims to provide an opportunity for networking and renewing
friendships
For programme information and registration details:
http://www.lrc.asn.au/hotmilk/
ASPOG
33rd Annual Scientific Meeting: ‘Talking Women’s Business’
Rydges Carlton Hotel, Melbourne
August 10 – 11
For programme information and registration details:
www.aspog.org.au
Clinical Research Excellence 07
August 17 - 19
Delegates will have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of
sessions which directly relate to their expertise, experiences or
general interest in Clinical Research.
National and international speakers will come together to:
· Provide a forum for Centres for Clinical Research Excellence (CCREs)
from around Australia to share their experience and knowledge with
others, as each has developed a unique approach to research attaining
outstanding clinical research success;
· Bring together clinical researchers who aspire to forming a CCRE
with researchers who have successfully established a CCRE so that they
can learn from first hand experience;
· Raise the bar for the quality and competitiveness of Australian
clinical research
For programme information and registration details:
http://www.crx07.com/Program.htm
September 2007, Sydney
International Clinical Trials Symposium
September 23 - 26
Hosted by the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre (University of Sydney)
Will appeal too many, including clinical Trialists, clinical
researchers, biostatisticians, academics, pharmaceutical
professionals, data managers, medical specialists, clinical educators,
consumer advocates, and research nurses.
The Symposium will provide a forum for exchanging ideas on practical
aspects of undertaking trials research, translating trial results into
best practice and presenting research.
Go to the symposium site for updates:
www.clinicaltrials2007.com
Or for further details email:
info@clinicaltrials2007.com
Decision Aids Seminar
Sydney
Preliminary date: Thursday 27th September
Further details available soon on the wombat website
September 2007, Canberra
Australian College of Midwives 15th biennial conference
September 25 - 28
Our program is a mixture of exciting international, national and local
speakers with a large smattering of hands-on workshops, all designed
to make us better midwives for the women and babies with whom we work.
We also have a strong theme of the arts to heighten our senses and
increase our understandings and a fabulous social program to pamper
our always-busy, always-giving selves.
For programme information and registration details:
http://www.congresswest.com.au/midwives2007/index.html
October 2007, London
ISA 2007: 3rd Annual conference of the International Stillbirth
Alliance
October 1-4
For programme information and registration details:
http://www.isa2007.org/
October 2007, Gold Coast
RANZCOG
October 2-5
For programme information and registration details:
www.ranzcog2007asm.com.au
October 2007, Melbourne
National Research Ethics Conference
October 16-18
The Conference seeks to promote debate about the ethical dimensions of
human research. Good research is ethical in design as well as in
conduct. This conference will explore:
Ways in which researchers can integrate an ethical framework into the
design, conduct of and publication of their research;
How engaging with the broader Australian community, including research
participants themselves, can deliver better research with more
relevant outcomes for all Australians; and
How institutions and those responsible for the conduct of the research
may enhance research endeavours through sound research governance
frameworks.
This conference provides an additional opportunity to provide
information about the new National Statement. The National Ethics
Application Form is being revised to take account of the new National
Statement, and will be available before the end of 2007.
For programme information and registration details: http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/ethics/conference.htm
November 2007, Perth
5th International Congress on Developmental Origins of Health &
Disease (DOHAD)
November 6 - 10
DOHaD is emerging as one of the most significant forms of
international research in determining the prevention and treatment of
many child and adult illnesses. This year, there will be a strong
emphasis on the political and economic implications for emerging
nations.
By attending, you will gain access to some of the highest quality
research currently in progress.
For further information and registration details go to
http://www.congresswest.com.au/dohad/
November 2007, Adelaide
Women's Hospitals Australasia & Children's Hospitals Australasia
November 12 – 16
'Responding with Style to Changes in Lifestyle'
Women's Hospitals Australasia & Children's Hospitals Australasia hold
a joint conference each year at a different location in Australia and
New Zealand. We welcome attendance from health professionals, health
service managers, academics and others involved or interested in the
health and welfare of women, children and babies.
For further programme information and registration details:
http://www.wcha.asn.au/index.cfm/spid/1_27.cfm
FUTURE DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
2008
April, Gold Coast
Australian College Neonatal Nurses Association Annual Conference
Sunday 20th April
For further details go to ACNN website:
www.acnn.org.au
Or
download preliminary announcement
Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand Annual Congress
April 20 – 23
Further details coming soon
NEW
TRIALS REGISTERED
Further information available on the wombat website "Perinatal Trials" page
1. STINT: Does the use of an introducer (stylet)
improve the success rate at orotracheal intubation in newborn infants?
VIC ACTRN0120607000186459
2. GAS study: A multi-site randomised controlled trial comparing
bupivacaine (regional) anaesthesia versus sevoflurane (general)
anaesthesia for effects on neurodevelopmental outcome and apnoea in
infants scheduled for unilateral or bilateral inguinal hernia repair.
VIC ACTRN012606000441516
NEW TRIAL PUBLICATIONS
Hiller JE, Crowther CA, Moore VA, Willson K,
Robinson JS
Calcium supplementation in pregnancy and its impact on blood pressure
in children and women: Follow up of a randomised controlled trial
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 2007;
47:115-21
Hotham ED, Gilbert AL, Atkinson ER
A randomised-controlled pilot study using nicotine patches with
pregnant women
Addictive Behaviors 2006; 31:641-8
Lumley J, Donohue L
Aiming to increase birth weight: a randomised trial of pre-pregnancy
information, advice and counseling in inner-urban Melbourne
BMC Public Health 2006; 299
Orlikowski CEP, Dickinson JE, Paech MJ, McDonald SJ, Nathan E.
Intrapartum analgesia and its association with post-partum back pain
and headache in nulliparous women. Australian and New Zealand Journal
of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 2006; 46:395-401
Re: Intrapartum analgesia and its association with post-partum back
pain and headache in nulliparous women; & Authors’ reply. Australian
and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 2007; 47:152-6
Kamlin COF, O'Donnell CPF, Everest NJ, Davis PG, Morley CJ. Accuracy
of clinical assessment of infant heart rate in the delivery room.
Resuscitation 2006; 71:319-21
Turnbull DA, Wilkinson C, Griffith EC, Kruzins G, Gerard K, Shanahan
M, Stamp GE. The psychosocial outcomes of antenatal day care for three
medical complications of pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial of
395 women. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and
Gynaecology 2006;46:510-6
Duggal-Beri PS, Hague WE, Tarnow-Mordi W. on behalf of the
international INIS Group. Strategies for maintaining long term
follow-up in Australia and New Zealand for the INIS Trial. Journal of
Paediatrics and Child Health 2007; 43:A147 [P29] (PSANZ 2007)
Wilkinson DJ, Andersen CC. A randomised crossover trial of two
algorithms for managing desaturation episodes in ventilated premature
infants. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health 2007; 43:A141 [P105]
(PSANZ 2007)
Collins CL, Joshi D, Wilson D, Andersen CC. Enteral glucose and
electrolyte solution versus IV fluids; a randomised controlled trial
in newborns. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health 2007; 43:A93
[PO35] (PSANZ 2007)
Phipps H, Charlton S, Dietz HP. Can antenatal education influence how
many women push in labour? A pilot randomised control trial on
maternal antenatal teaching for pushing in second stage of labour
(PUSH STUDY). Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health 2007; 43:A67
[A129] (PSANZ 2007)
Buckmaster A, Arnolda G, Wright I, Henderson-Smart DJ. The use of CPAP
to reduce up transfer of infants with respiratory distress in
non-tertiary care centres. A randomised controlled trial. Journal of
Paediatrics and Child Health 2007; 43:A38 [A61] (PSANZ 2007)
Foster J, Bidewell J, Lees S, Buckmaster A, Henderson-Smart D.
Parental stress and satisfaction compared for CPAP and headbox oxygen
in the non-tertiary special care nursery. Journal of Paediatrics and
Child Health 2007; 43:A39 [A63] (PSANZ 2007)
TRIALS NEEDING
NEW CENTRES/RECRUITS
PROGRESS
Progesterone After Previous Preterm Birth for the Prevention of
Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome
The aim of the study is to answer the question does vaginal
progesterone therapy in women with a previous spontaneous preterm
birth reduce the risk of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome?
Primary hypothesis
The administration of progesterone to women with a history of previous
birth will
reduce the risk of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome
Secondary hypotheses
Administration of progesterone to women with a history of previous
spontaneous preterm birth will
reduce the risk of morbidity from neonatal lung disease;
reduce the risk of morbidity from other adverse outcomes for the
infant;
reduce the risk of maternal morbidity without adverse effects of
therapy
For further details contact Pat Ashwood:
progress@adelaide.edu.au
or download flyer
http://wombatcollaboration.net/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=25
PPROMT
Immediate Delivery versus Expectant Care in Women with Preterm
Prelabour Rupture Of the Membranes close to Term – a Randomised
Controlled Trial.
The aim of the study is to answer the question, in women between 34
and 366 weeks gestation, with confirmed ruptured membranes, is
immediate delivery compared with expectant management associated with:
1. Less neonatal and maternal morbidity compared with expectant
management
2. Fewer economic costs compared with expectant management
For further details contact Kate Levett: ppromt@med.usyd.edu.au
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National
Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research NEWS
NHMRC is pleased to announce that, following
comprehensive revision and extensive public consultation, the revised
National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research was tabled in
both houses of Parliament on 28 March 2007 and is available on the NHMRC
website.
http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/synopses/e72syn.htm
Institutions and their HRECs should acquaint themselves with, and meet,
the requirements in the new National Statement as soon as possible.
Detailed information about 'what's new' in the National Statement will
be on the NHMRC website shortly and will be widely circulated to all
stakeholders. NHMRC will work with research institutions over the coming
months, including holding national information workshops on the new
National Statement.
The National Ethics Application Form is being revised to take account of
the new National Statement, and will be available before the end of
2007.
WOMBAT STAFF NEWS
Congratulations to Chaturica Athukorala, WOMBAT
coordinator in SA, who won a New Investigator Award at PSANZ 2007 for
her presentation "Risk factors for shoulder dystocia for women with
gestational diabetes mellitus in the ACHOIS trial”; which was
supported through a summer scholarship with the Discipline of
Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Adelaide.
WOMBAT WEBSITE NEWS
A new addition to the website is a resource page for
trialists.
On this page you will find
information about topics of interest to those undertaking or planning
to undertake trials in maternal and perinatal health, including:
You can
request assistance from one of the WOMBAT team
by completing our online forms.
FURTHER
INFORMATION
For more information on WOMBAT
initiatives, please visit our website: http://www.wombatcollaboration.net
or contact the WOMBAT
Collaboration national co-ordinator
The
WOMBAT Collaboration is funded through a NHMRC enabling grant.
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