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Welcome to the September 2008 issue.
In this issue:
New Publication
Tooher R, Middleton P, Crowther C
(2008). A thematic analysis of factors influencing recruitment to
maternal and perinatal trials. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth,
Assisting trialists to enhance recruitment to maternal and perinatal
trials is one of the key aims of the WOMBAT Collaboration. In the past
we have held workshops focused on this topic, and we have also reviewed
the literature about factors influencing recruitment and strategies to
improve recruitment.
This review has
now been published in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth and can be viewed
here.
WOMBAT Meetings
Data Monitoring and Safety (Adverse Events)
Committees – An Interactive Workshop
Friday November 21, 2008, 9.30 – 4.00pm
Conference Room A, Royal Women’s Hospital, Cnr Grattan St & Flemington
Rd, Parkville, Victoria
Aim
To build capacity in the maternal and perinatal research community
and knowledge of data monitoring and relevant committees.
Objectives
1. increase participants’ knowledge and understanding of the roles
of DMCs and SMCs
2. develop skills needed to be a member of a DMC or SMC
3. share experiences with other researchers and clinicians who are
involved in or intending to carry out a clinical trial in maternal or
perinatal healthcare
Workshop Leaders
Professor Caroline Crowther – The University of Adelaide
Professor Lex Doyle – University of Melbourne
Confirmed Faculty
Professor John Carlin – University of Melbourne
Associate Professor Peter Davis – Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne
Ms Philippa Middleton – The University of Adelaide
Ms Vicki Flenady – Mater Health Services, Brisbane
Dr Rebecca Tooher – The University of Adelaide
Dr Michelle Kealy – La Trobe University
Workshop Outline
The morning session will focus on the general features of DMCs and
SMCs and provide the opportunity for participants to share experiences
and issues. There will be some informative presentations and a Q&A
session where participants will be encouraged to submit questions for
the panel to discuss. The afternoon session will be adapted from the
interactive SCORPIO method and be practically focused on providing
participants with the skills required to become a DMC or SMC member.
Who should attend this workshop?
Members and prospective members of DMCs and SMCs and anyone who
needs to interact with a DMC or SMC (trialists, statisticians, trial
coordinators and others). NOTE: Although the workshop will discuss some
of the statistical aspects of data monitoring it will not be primarily a
statistical workshop.
Cost: $121 (including GST)
For more information or to register contact
Rebecca Tooher 08 8161 7660 email:
rebecca.tooher@adelaide.edu.au
or Michelle Kealy 03 83418533 or email
m.kealy@latrobe.edu.au
or visit our website:
www.wombatcollaboration.net
Download Flyer
Download Registration Form
QLD WOMBAT Clinical Trials Network
The 16th of September marked the beginning of the QLD WOMBAT Clinical
Trials Network. This network aims to increase the number of RCTs
conducted in Queensland addressing important perinatal problems. The
first meeting of the network focussed on development of an RCT to
identify the optimal dose of oxytocin for women undergoing casearean
section birth involving: Kassam Mahomed (Ipswich), David Watson
(Townsville) Alka Kothari and Sanjiv Sawney (Redcliffe) and Michael
Beckmann,Vicki Flenady, Bonnie MacFarlane and Linda Murray (Mater Health
Services). We were joined by Caroline Crowther and Phillippa Middelton
from the WOMBAT Steering Committee.
We are currently seeking those who are
interested in developing trials and running trials to join the network,
so if you are interested in joining or would like to learn more please
contact:
Linda Murray
QLD WOMBAT Regional Coordinator
Email: linda.murray@mater.org.au
Phone: (07)3163 8836
or
Vicki Flenady
Email: Vicki.flenady@mater.org.au
Events
Friday 17th October
National Babies Day
Traditionally, this has been the Bonnie Babes Foundation’s biggest and
most important fund raising event.
For more information about how you or your company can support or donate
to this promotion contact:
enquiry@bbf.org.au
Website: http://www.bbf.org.au
Other workshops,
meetings and conferences relevant to maternal and perinatal health
National Conferences and
Events
PSANZ, Vic Branch Hot Topics Series Maternal Obesity: Is it a BIG
Problem?
When: Tuesday October 7, 2008
Where: Women’s Conference Centre:
Conference Room A,
ground floor
Royal Women’s
Hospital
NB. The new RWH is
located at 20 Flemington Rd, Parkville
Cost: Nil for PSANZ members, $10 for non-members
To apply for membership of PSANZ see
http://www.psanz.org.au
To register for the symposium please email your Title, Name and
Organisation to:
Cate Nagle: cate.nagle@deakin.edu.au
Secretary PSANZ (Vic Branch)
For catering purposes please RSVP by September 30, 2008
Emerging issues in Pregnancy, Birth and Postnatal Care
October 9th and 10th at The Royal Women's Hospital in Melbourne
Recent research about care in these areas will be presented by a range
of speakers.
For further information contact Tracey Savage on 03 8345 2147 or
tracey.savage@thewomens.org.au
From “Having A Baby In Victoria” to Future
Directions And Beyond. Forum sponsored by the Maternity Coalition and
ACM Victoria. 31 October 2008, Melbourne.
For full details and registration:
www.maternitycoalition.org.au/symposium
Australian Rural Nurses and Midwives 14th National Conference
6 - 7 November 2008 at Stamford Grand Hotel, Adelaide.
Registrations close on 24 October 2008.
For more information:
http://www.arnm.asn.au/
NSW Midwives’ Association Annual Conference 17th
& 18th October, 2008
Midwives business: Peeling back the layers.
Novotel Pacific Bay Resort Coffs Harbour.
For more information:
http://www.nswmidwives.com.au/
Association of Neonatal Nurses of NSW, 19th Annual Conference
24-25 October 2008, Crowne Plaza, Darling Harbour, Sydney
Theme: Caring for Neonates and Nurses: Looking after babies and
parents; Caring for ourselves and each other; Advancing our profession
For more information:
http://www.acnn.org.au/includes/showarticle.asp?id=27
SOMANZ-ADIPS MEETING
2008 Combined Annual Scientific Meeting
31 October – 2 November 2008
Hilton Adelaide, South Australia
Internationally recognised invited speakers are:
Dr Ray Powrie, Associate Professor of Medicine and
Obstetrics and Gynaecology,
The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Senior Vice
President, Quality and Clinical Effectiveness, Women and Infants
Hospital, Providence Rhode Island, USA
Dr Peter Damm, Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology,
and Chief Physician, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology,
University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
Abstracts for scientific and clinical case presentations or posters
are encouraged
For further information contact: SOMANZ Meeting Secretariat, The
[Meeting] People PTY LTD, PO Box 882 Unley SA 5061, Tel: +61 8 8177
2215 Email:
lara@themeetingpeople.com.au or see
http://www.somanz.org/annual.htm
The Organising Committee of the 13th Annual Congress of The
Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand (PSANZ09) invites
abstract submissions for any topics relevant to perinatology.
Abstracts must be submitted via the Congress website
http://psanz09.eventplanners.com.au by 30 November 2008. If
you are unable to access the internet please contact the Congress
Managers on
psanz09program@eventplanners.com.au to make alternative
arrangements.
Australasian Midwifery Expo 2008
5-7 November, Hilton Hotel, Brisbane
For further information Contact Sharon Neo: (08) 8298 8279 or
Email:
cnprojectpeople@hotmail.com
Health Care for Kids: The People, The Map and the Measure
Co-convened by Children’s Hospitals Australasia (CHA) and the
Association for the Wellbeing of Children in Healthcare (AWCH)
Manly Pacific Sydney Hotel
17/11/2008 - 18/11/2008
For More Details Contact:
sharynlow@pacific.net.au
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES EVENTS
4th Asia Pacific Congress in Maternal Foetal
Medicine
17-19 October 2008 , Macau SAR, China
Organised by the Chinese University of Hong Kong; Association of
Obstetrics & Gynaecology of Macau; The Chinese Foetal Medicine
Foundation; and the Foetal Medicine Foundation of UK.
For further information: www.apcmfm.hk
(full information, online registration and abstract submission) or
email: apcmfm@med.cuhk.edu.hk
2008 International Stillbirth Conference
A joint conference of ISA and WHO hosted by the Norwegian Society of
Perinatal Medicine. Co-hosted by Norwegian SIDS and Stillbirth Society
and Perinatal Research Centre, Rikshospitalet University Clinic
November 5-7, Oslo, Norway
Go to:
http://www.stillbirthalliance.org/conference/2008/ for more
information
ADVANCED NOTICE 2009
Improving the Delivery of Maternity Care: sharing the lessons
learnt
26-27 February 2009
Sheraton Perth Hotel
207 Adelaide Tce Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Submission of Abstracts: 30th September 2008
For further information:
Telephone Change Champions on +61 (2) 4963 5150 or email:
change.champions@bigpond.com
25th International Congress “The Fetus as a patient”
7-9 March 2009, Sydney
For more information visit:
www.fetus2009.com
Women well into the future
2009 AOFOG-RANZCOG Combined Congress
26-30 March 2009, Auckland, NZ
Abstracts due 3 November 2008
For more information visit:
www.aocogranzcog2009.co.nz
The XXIst Asian and Oceanic Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
26-30 March 2009, Auckland, New Zealand
For more information visit:
http://www.aocogranzcog2009.co.nz/
International Stillbirth Alliance Conference
8-10 March 2009, South Africa
For Further information:
www.stillbirthalliance.org
International normal birth research conference in Grange over Sands
June 10-12th 2009.
For further information, contact:
Soo Downe. Email:
sdowne@UCLAN.AC.UK
The Australian Lactation Consultant Association (ALCA)
National Conference: Breastfeeding: A Key Public Health Issue
September 4th - 6th 2009, Canberra ACT, Australia.
For more information visit
http://alca.asn.au/
Australian College of Midwives 16th Biennial
Conference: "Women & Midwives - A Brilliant Blend"
Held from 22nd-25th September 2009, Adelaide Convention Centre
For more information:
http://www.midwives.org.au and click on Events
XIX FIGO World Congress of Gynaecology and Obstetrics
4-9 October 2009, Cape Town, South Africa
First Announcement is now available on the Congress website:
www.figo2009.org.za/announcements/First%20Announcement%20Final%201.pdf
The 9th World Congress of Perinatal Medicine in
Berlin, Germany
October 24-28, 2009.
For further information: www.wcpm9.org
RESEARCH
GRANTS AVAILABLE The Bonnie Babes
Foundation
The Bonnie Babes Foundation Inc. was established to provide grief
counselling for families who have experienced the loss of a baby
through miscarriage, stillbirth or prematurity and to assist with
vital medical research into the reasons more than 50,000 babies die in
Australia each year.
The Bonnie Babes Foundation is now accepting applications for 2008
Medical Grants. The Bonnie Babes Foundation will not fund conference
travel or building funds. Grant applications will be accepted from
Australian bodies only. Grant applications are usually provided in the
range of $2,000 to $20,000. Applications in excess of this amount may
be considered, as may partial funding of projects.
For further information and application forms, please visit their
website:
http://www.bbf.org.au/MedicalResearch/tabid/55/Default.aspx
The Foundation for Children
The Foundation for Children is a company whose purpose is the
promotion of the health and welfare of children of Australia.
As the full application requires detailed information that would be
reasonably time consuming to collate and prepare, the Foundation
introduced an Expressions of Interest (EoI) process whereby the
participants can submit a two page summary.
For further details, guidelines and application forms, please visit
their website:
http://www.foundationforchildren.com.au/scripts/runisa.dll?FFC .
NHMRC Partnership call – applications are now open and close 19
December 2008
NHMRC Partnerships represent a major new focus for the NHMRC. They aim
to lead to more effective connections between decision makers who
design policy and researchers, and to improve the availability and
quality of research evidence to help inform the policy process.
www.nhmrc.gov.au/grants/partnerships.htm
New trials
APTS: Australian
Placental Transfusion Study
Not yet recruiting
ASTEROID: dexamethasone v betamethasone prior to preterm birth to
increase survival free of neurosensory disability
Not yet recruiting
WOMBAT RCT Update
In the last year, 31 maternal and perinatal RCTs have been started or
registered. Since the start of the WOMBAT Collaboration in September
2005, we have added 163 trials to the WOMBAT database: 46 of these are
currently recruiting (40% multicentre) and 21 are not yet recruiting.
New
trial publications
Ju
H, Rumbold AR, Willson KJ, Crowther CA. Borderline gestational
diabetes mellitus and pregnancy outcomes. BMC Pregnancy and
Childbirth, 2008, 8:31
Open Access:
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2393/8/31
McLachlan H, Forster D, Davey MA, Lumley J, Farrell T, Oats J, Gold L,
Waldenstrom U, Albers L, Biro M A (2008). COSMOS: COmparing Standard
Maternity care with One-to-one midwifery Support: a randomised
controlled trial. (Study Protocol) BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, Open
Access:
http://biomedcentral.com/1471-2393/8/35
TRIALS
REQUIRING MORE CENTRES & MORE RECRUITS
BOOST II: Benefits
of Oxygen Saturation Targeting Study
If you would like more information on becoming involved in this trial:
visit perinatal trials page or email
boost2@ctc.usyd.edu.au
PPROMT Trial:
Preterm Pre-Labour Rupture of Membranes Close to Term Trial
If you would like more information on becoming involved in this trial:
visit perinatal trials page or email
ppromt@med.usyd.edu.au
PROGRESS Trial: Progesterone after previous preterm birth for the
prevention of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome
If you would like more information on becoming involved in this trial:
visit perinatal trials page or email
progress@adelaide.edu.au
TWINS: Timing of Birth at Term – a randomised controlled trial
If you would like more information on becoming involved in this
trial:
visit perinatal trials page or
http://www.health.adelaide.edu.au/og/research/mpctu.html or email
twins@adelaide.edu.au
Further Information
For more information on WOMBAT
initiatives, please contact the WOMBAT Collaboration national
co-ordinator:
p.middleton@WOMBATcollaboration.net
The WOMBAT Collaboration is funded through a NHMRC enabling grant.
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