Professor Rickard is Director of the Griffith-based Alliance for Vascular Access Teaching and Research (AVATAR), the largest research group in the world investigating intravascular access. And the success of their work can be measured in hundreds of millions of dollars of reduced health care costs world-wide, as well as improved patient comfort.
The work horse of health care
Peripheral intravenous catheters, usually inserted into a patient’s hand or arm, are the most commonly used device in hospitals around the world with an estimated 300 million used in USA each year and 14 million in Australia.
“It doesn’t matter what health issues you have; whether you are treated in an ambulance or a hospital; whether you have cancer, or you need hydration or antibiotics; whenever you need sustained access to a blood vessel to provide treatment, a catheter must be inserted into a vein or artery,” Professor Rickard said.
“At AVATAR we have a really experienced, large group of researchers with very strong scientific skills particularly in vascular access, and we investigate practices in hospitals that have never been tested before to see which ones work and which ones don’t.”
For about 40 years, peripheral catheters were routinely replaced every few days, even if there were no problems. It was thought that doing this would minimise the risk of a blood infection, or a painful irritation within the blood vessel called phlebitis. So AVATAR undertook randomised controlled trials to see if this was true.
Challenging tradition
More than three thousand patients were involved in the study funded by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council and it was found that leaving a functioning catheter in place beyond three days, until it was no longer required made absolutely no difference to the onset of infection or other complications.
These findings heralded significant change for patient comfort and health care cost savings. In the US alone, changing to the new policy of re-siting only as required policy insertions would save one million staff hours and US$400 million over five years. For Queensland Health that would amount to $5 million dollars in savings every five years.
Global influence
AVATAR now has research partnerships with more than 100 hospitals and universities around the world and the influence of AVATAR is growing.
“Each week we have overseas hospitals contacting us to say they have changed their standard of practice for catheter replacement based on our research findings. In the UK it is now mandatory for all adult NHS hospitals to follow clinically indicated catheter replacement.”
That is just one example of the work being undertaken by AVATAR. With another 80 research projects currently underway, even with the support of her team of 25 paid staff, much of Professor Rickard’s time is now taken up with leading this powerful research alliance. But she has never lost the thrill of discovery herself.
“I still love analysing data. I love getting those results from a 2000 patient study and thinking, ‘What does this mean? What is the message here?
“We want the patients to have the best experience they can, whether that mean less pain or fewer infections, or reduced time in hospital because they have had more effective treatment. That’s what drives us.”
The winner of Griffith’s 2015 Three Minute Thesis Challenge is Courtney Williams, a HDR candidate at the Queensland Conservatorium who is researching how to select and compose the most appropriate music to help people undergoing surgery.
Courtney’s presentation “Prescribing Music for Surgery” explained how her research into compositional elements helps medical professionals better understand how to treat their patients using music.
Courtney says her musical background as a composer gives her research a unique edge in her field.
“I’m really looking into the nitty gritty of compositional elements. Things like melodies, harmonies and instruments can be manipulated to work better in different situations.
“Even the body’s internal rhythms can sync up with rhythms in the music. This can bring the patient’s heart rate and breathing down to healthier levels.
“Doctors and nurses are often so busy and have a lot to worry about, so if they only have a rudimentary knowledge of music it’ll be impossible for them to select the right composition.
“My research will allow doctors to tell a musician ‘I need a piece of music that includes all these elements and avoids all of these ones’, meaning they can give the patient music that’s more likely to help them.”
Courtney is the first researcher to look at how music can help people undergoing surgery from a compositional perspective.
“There have been studies where they’ll test the effect of music on people undergoing different types of surgery, but a lot of them don’t have any input from musicians. They don’t look at the different elements of music and how they can interact and override each other.”
During the three minute challenge, each contestant must explain the significance of their research in a way which makes it interesting and engaging to a non-specialist audience.
As the first place winner, Courtney has won a thousand dollars and represented Griffith at the Trans-Tasman finals at the University of Queensland last Friday.
For Courtney, winning the competition has helped her to better communicate her research. She says she is excited at the opportunity to travel to conferences and learn from other people in her field to further develop her research.
“I’m looking to empirically test my compositions in the future based on the research I’ve done. It’s lifelong research; I can see years of different projects ahead.
“Music is really powerful in what it can do and I’m just glad I can use my musical skills to help people.”
The 2015 runner up for Griffith’s Three Minute Thesis was nursing student Georgia Tobiano, for her presentation titled ‘Patient participation in nursing care’. David Harman from the School of Natural Sciences took out the People’s Choice award for his presentation “Epidemic modelling: dealing with uncertainty” onresearching formulas to predict the progress of epidemic diseases.
Griffith University will be a major sponsor of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018).
As “Official University Partner of Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games” Griffith staff and students will be closely involved in the build-up over the next three years and staging of the biggest sporting event in Australia this decade.
Griffith University Vice Chancellor and President Professor Ian O’Connor said the Commonwealth Games represented a watershed moment for the Gold Coast and it was appropriate for Griffith to be embedded in the event.
Griffith Vice Chancellor Prof Ian O’Connor, Griffith Chancellor Prof Henry Smerdon, The Honourable Kate Jones MP, Minister for Education and Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games and Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation Chairman Nigel Chamier OAM celebrate the partnership.
Key aspects of the partnership include:
Internships — 250 Griffith internships with the Games organising body, GOLDOC and its partners over the next three years across a variety of study areas
Facilities — Campus facilities used in the lead up and during the Games
Scholarships — Students from all Commonwealth nations, including Australia, eligible for the new Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Scholarships at Griffith University
Creative Arts Partner — Griffith will contribute to the creative arts program running concurrently with GC2018, potentially including Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
Team Australia — Official University Partner of 2018 Australian Commonwealth Games Team.
Queen’s Baton Relay — Griffith campuses included in the Queen’s Baton Relay celebrations
Griffith has a history associated with the Commonwealth Games. Athletes at the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane were accommodated at Griffith’s Nathan campus which was next door to QEII Stadium where the famous ‘winking kangaroo’ Opening Ceremony was held.
“We are pleased to announce this partnership and we are committed to ensuring the Games is a great success,” Professor O’Connor said.
Griffith student and elite athlete Cameron McEvoy with Griffith Alumni and Olympian Libby Trickett with her new baby.
Minister for the Commonwealth Games Kate Jones said the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games presented a unique opportunity for Griffith University students to get first-hand experience working on a major international event.
“The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games will be the biggest event in Australia this decade and Griffith University students will have a front-row seat,” Ms Jones said.
Bachelor of Exercise Science student Louisa Marmion is looking forward to the opportunities GC2018 will bring.
“It means students from Griffith University have the opportunity to graduate with more than just a piece of paper but with the first line of their resume already completed.”
Targeting doping networks as well as individual athletes will help disrupt elite sporting drug rings according to new research from Griffith University.
Dr Peter Bell from the Griffith Criminology Institute and colleagues from QUT and USC analysed the 2012 US Anti-Doping Agency’s investigation of Lance Armstrong & the USPS Team. The Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) funded the 12-month research project.
He says the network surrounding Armstrong was highly sophisticated and similar to that of a criminal drug trafficking network.
“The Tour de France has long been the subject of systemic doping allegations by individual athletes and teams, but Armstrong and his US team and associates took this pre-existing activity to an unprecedented level of complexity” (USADA, 2012).
“For example, from 1999 to 2005 the percentage of podium finishers linked to doping practices was 95%, up from 80% prior to 1999.”
“This represents an endemic doping culture within the sport. It is not solely the domain of individuals acting in isolation but encompasses an entire network of individuals that surround these athletes.”
Dr Bell found the Armstrong-UPS team network gained insight into what was needed to win the Tour de France by studying a tour victory from all possible avenues, which included institutionalised doping.
By enlisting specialists in sports science, coaches, managers, technical equipment, design engineers, team administrators and loyal support staff the group was able to develop an operationalised networked strategy.
“So strong was the network, it developed and implemented a sophisticated doping regime that resulted in seven Tour de France victories for Armstrong and his teammates and associates.”
Dr Bell said the key to the network’s success was its resilience strategies, which included enforcing the sports code of silence: the “Omerta”, issuing threats to other riders, intimidation, legal action and pre-empting potential threats to the network.
“We hope this study will be useful in shaping future anti-doping policy and help keep elite sports clean.”
Griffith University has taken home second place at this year’s Australian University Games held on the Gold Coast.
With a record number of participants in 29 of the 32 sporting events, Griffith students took home 23 gold medals, 15 silver and four bronze.
It is the first time in the history of the Australian University Games that a Queensland university has placed in the top three.
Griffith baseball team in action
Griffith teams also won overall in baseball, women’s netball, mixed netball, men’s touch, men’s rugby union 7’s, cycling and swimming events and 27 students were selected for the Green and Gold Merit Team.
Griffith Sport development and recreation manager, Natalee Black, said she couldn’t be more proud of the students and how they represented the University over the week long national event, which wrapped up on October 2.
The Griffith men’s touch team.
“Winning both Netball competitions was an absolutely incredible result but also what doesn’t show in the tally board is that we were the only University in Australia to qualify for Division 1 for all Touch divisions,” she said.
“Baseballers were dominate all week and have been working towards Australian University Games gold ever since they took silver home at the 2009 event.
“The Rugby Uni 7’s boys have more than half of them graduating this year so it was an awesome way for them to go out winning the gold. They were underdogs going in but never gave up.”
Swimmers Kiah Melverton and Chris Wright led the Swim team to winning overall.
Griffith’s touch football team captain Sam Yip said the UniGames provided an opportunity to meet like-minded people from across the country.
“Personally, I think it’s about making friends who are all there for sport and overall have a good time,” says the Bachelor of Business student.
He saidhe enjoyed being part of the Griffith team as the University has a great culture of being involved in sport at elite and social levels.
For more photos from the UniGames see the Griffith University Facebook pageor Griffith Sports Facebook page.
When you type “pharmacology” into seek.com.au, you’ll find over 1600 related jobs. And that’s just the estimated 25% that are advertised.
Here’s your opportunity to turn the pharmacy boom into a successful career with the new Bachelor of Pharmacology and Toxicology from Griffith University.
This cutting-edge degree has been developed to give you the specific knowledge and skills to meet demand in the exciting world of biotechnology and drug discovery.
You’ll develop a deep knowledge of how chemicals interact with biological systems, how drugs and poisons work, and how to develop new medicines.
It’s a hands-on experience, with state-of-the-art formulation, pharmacology and analytical laboratories giving you the opportunity to work in professional standard facilities while you learn.
Beyond biotech, the three-year degree also allows you to specialise for a career as a pharmaceutical sales representative, clinical trials monitor or environmental scientist.
With the pharmacology industry slated for continued international growth, now’s the time to turn the skills shortage into a career advantage. Griffith University, when you know more, you can do more.
Don’t sit on the sidelines. If you love sport, turn your passion into a dynamic career with the Bachelor of Sport Development from Griffith.
For every match played, there’s a range of dedicated professionals behind the scenes, coaching, managing, promoting and developing the athletes, clubs and facilities.
And with the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games just around the corner, there’s demand for more.
The Bachelor of Sport Development will give you the broad range of skills to work at any level across these sporting and recreational organisations, from local to elite level, and contribute to creating healthier, happier communities.
You’ll develop your expertise in all areas of sport development, including sport and exercise science, coaching and sport psychology, marketing and event management.
You’ll also study the specialist field of community development through sport, putting you in perfect position to make the most of the wealth of local and international opportunities.
Put yourself in the game. Make sport development your career. Because at Griffith University, when you know more, you can do more.
Every hospital, medical research project and clinical trial needs highly-skilled medical scientists. And with an industry-wide skills shortage, they need them now.
Which is why our Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science graduates enjoy an almost 100% employment rate.
Over the four-year degree, you’ll learn hands-on in state-of-the-art lab facilities at the Gold Coast Campus, developing advanced biological knowledge, and the analytical and practical skills to diagnose and recommend treatments.
You’ll also have the chance to work with real patients before you graduate, with clinical placements in each of the areas of medical science.
With opportunities from clinical laboratories to forensic science to the food and beverage industry, now’s the time to start your career in medical science. Because at Griffith University, when you know more, you can do more.
By Dr Brian Adams, Director of the Centre for Interfaith and Cultural Dialogue, Griffith University
Introduction Countering violent extremism in Australia is a difficult task, fraught with political, cultural and religious sensitivities exacerbated by social tensions and lack of understanding across various communities.
One unintended consequence of the desire to secure our nation has been to heighten these tensions and divisions in many communities across Australia.
The Whole-of-Community policy framework is presented as a way to facilitate broad analysis and deep understanding of the current situation and coordinate efforts across stakeholders so we can begin to reunite the divided and strengthen our communities to counteract further radicalisation.
Radicalisation is the progression of an individual towards more extreme views that may lead to violent fundamentalism, extremism or terrorism. This policy framework regards radicalisation of Australian citizens as “a community issue, not just a law enforcement one” (Safi 2015), because communities can influence how quickly and how far along the path of radicalisation a person travels by shaping external influence, social circumstance and individual agency (2008).
Objectives
– Overcome community divisions
– Strengthen ability to counter radicalisation
Policy Framework
The Whole-of-Community policy approach is overseen by a governmental taskforce responsible for coordinating policy, analysis and evaluation, and planning.This taskforce may also include representatives of key community organisations and business interests.
External The first area that may contribute to an individual’s radicalisation is that of external influences.
These are influences that “shape and constrain people’s environment” (2008: 16), but are only minimally influenced by the individual. External influences can be categorised into political, economic and cultural/religious influences.
Political
– Overseas involvement of Australian troops and trade relationships
– Democratic participation
– Mass media and social media messages
– Relationship with government, judicial and police institutions (including representation)
Economic
– Economic and business environment and opportunities
– Housing
– Community services
– Educational opportunities
Cultural/Religious
– Mass media
– Community integration
– Internal conflict (i.e. between radical and moderate streams of teachings)
Social
The second area of community influence is social circumstance. The groups with which one identifies, the dynamics of one’s various networks, and the relative deprivation of one’s community can all play a role in furthering an individual down the radicalisation path.
– Group identity
– Network dynamics
– Relative deprivation
Individual
The final area of influence impacting a person’s path of radicalisation is individual agency. An individual makes certain choices that determine their personal progress towards extremism. These choices are informed by:
– Cognitive experiences; and
– Emotional experiences.
Summary
Countering violent extremism in Australia is challenging. In order to succeed, we have to overcome existing community tensions and divisions. The Whole-of Community policy framework is presented as a way to gather community insights and resources, facilitate in-depth analysis and understanding of the current situation, and coordinate efforts across stakeholders so that we can begin to reunite the divided and strengthen our communities to counteract further radicalisation.
Works Cited
(2008). Radicalisation, Recruitment and the EU Counter-radicalisation Strategy. Safi, M. (2015). Mike Baird’s Muslim engagement could work where Tony Abbott is failiing. The Guardian. online.
Dr Pinto believes that unless more knowledge of science is understood by the general population we will never combat important global issues such as climate change and health concerns.
“It is going to take a global effort to address these issues and until that is generally felt by the public it is going to be difficult,” he said, speaking from his home in Canada.
”It’s about education and understanding the fundamentals of scientific methods, experiments and helping the public make their own conclusions about the many myths out there in respect to science such as myths around vaccination on a global scale.”
He will be presenting a Public Lecture, ‘A Scientist’s Career- From Research to Administration,’ on Tuesday, 13 October at 5.30pm, as part of the Institute’s annual Peter Gallagher Memorial Glycomics Lecture Series held during Glycomics Week.
Dr Pinto has had an esteemed career, first as an active researcher, then as an administrator, to r restructure a chemistry department, help build a research-intensive University and today working with Government ministries in Canada to support scientific research.
He believes it is up to scientists to show a sense of responsibility to their community to raise awareness of science from children in kindergarten through to the university population, as well as to parliamentarians.
“That is what I have always tried to do and I believe this adds credibility to both spheres,” he said.
“Everyone can make a difference on raising awareness and you can combine a scientific research career with such community activities.
Dr Pinto’s lecture will also explore why fundamental research and discovery research is paramount.
“We have to invest in this to allow researchers the freedom to explore,” he said.
It’s through exploration that you may discover something ground-breaking as inventions aren’t generally planned.
“Invention can come about from one of three areas; conception, misconception or accident. But it is recognising the invention in each of these scenarios that is the key.”
Prof Mark von Itzstein, Director of the Institute for Glycomics, said he welcomed Dr Mario Pinto, a distinguished researcher to the Glycomics Week events and encourages the local community to attend the Public Lecture to help raise awareness of the benefits of science.
Glycomics Week
The Institute for Glycomics established its annual Glycomics Week during the Institute’s 10th anniversary in 2010.
The week aims to celebrate the Institute’s growing significant research successes, and the impact this research has in the world of infectious disease, cancer and vaccine and drug discovery. As well as acknowledge the invaluable assistance from the Institute’s local, national and international friends, donors and supporters.
The Glycomics Student Forum will also be held on Wednesday, 14 October with lectures from Dr Pinto and Dr Chun-Hung Lin from the Institute of Biological Chemistry at Academia Sinica in Taiwan. See the full Forum Program here.
The week will culminate with the Glycomics Gala dinner on 15 October at 6.30pm at the RACV Royal Pines.
