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the limbic is a free, independent news site for respiratory health professionals that covers the latest in clinical research and medico-political news.

‘Futile’ treatment causes confusion. The debate over how to define ‘futile’ treatment has hit the headlines again, with a new study showing doctors support the concept but more than half have difficulty coming to a consensus on how to approach it in a clinical setting. Read More. 

Gene therapy for PAH. In this month’s holy grail we caught up with recipient of the 2015 TSANZ Ann Woolcock Young Investigator Award Rebecca Harper on her work with endothelial progenitor cells to find a better treatment, and potentially a cure, for patients living with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Read More.

Specialised clinics needed in advanced COPD. Patients with advanced lung disease need specialised care to help address issues such as end-of-life care planning, says a respiratory physician who has set up an innovative clinic in Melbourne. Read More.

Inhalers have become a ‘fashion accessory’. This is just one quote from an editorial penned by the UK’s respiratory dynamic duo Professor Andrew Bush and Dr Louise Fleming on the over diagnosis of asthma in children. We spoke to Professor Adam Jaffe to get an Australian perspective. Read More.

Promising on paper but…  The release of a Cochrane review showing high dose oral NSAIDs can slow the progression of lung damage in people with cystic fibrosis is unlikely to change clinical practice, says a leading Australian respiratory physician and researcher. Read More.

When Pseudomonas aeruginosa cells explode. Microbiologists have made a breakthrough in understanding how the superbug Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes infection. Read More.

Name that lung sound. An international task force has reached a consensus on the naming of lung sounds – in 29 languages. Are ‘crackle’ and ‘wheeze’ still approved terms? Read More.

If you have any issues accessing the limbic please contact editor@thelimbic.com

Research Project and Survey Requests

International Malignant Pleural Effusion Practice Survey

In 2003, an international survey was conducted to gain an idea on the variations in pleurodesis practices for malignant pleural effusions in different parts of the world. The study provided useful data and highlighted areas of significant differences in practice that could be addressed with clinical trials.  In the last 12 years, malignant pleural disease management has dramatically changed especially with the increasing use of indwelling pleural catheters and medical thoracoscopy.  Given the options available researchers would like to see how opinions and practice vary across the world. (Lee, Rahman, Ahmed, Feller-Kopman, Sivakumar). 

They would be most grateful if colleagues could find the time to complete the following survey which will take approximately 15 minutes to complete.

To ensure that all information will remain confidential and anonymous, researchers will not record any personal information including IP addresses. You have the option of providing your email address if you would like to receive a copy of the analysed results. Email addresses will be recorded on a separate database to keep responses anonymous. Your email address will not be used for any other reason or correspondence.

The survey can be found at http://www.tinyurl.com/pleuralsurvey
Thank you!

Austrailan Co-ordinator: Prof YC Gary Lee 

The Breathing for Life Trial (BLT)

BLT is a randomised trial of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO)-based management of asthma during pregnancy and its impact on perinatal outcomes and infant and childhood respiratory health.

We are seeking volunteers with doctor diagnosed asthma, asthma symptoms or medication use in previous 12 months, 18 years of age or older, 12-22 weeks gestation, smokers and non-smokers.

This trial will take place at;

– John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle NSW
– Royal Hospital for Women, Randwick NSW
– Nepean Hospital, NSW
– Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, QLD
– Royal North Shore Hospital, NSW
– Canberra Hospital, ACT

Click here to read more about this trial
Participant Information Statement and Consent Form [PDF]

For more information please contact Dr Megan Jensen: Ph (02) 4042 0130 | breathingforlifetrial@gmail.com | Facebook

Pleural and Lung Ultrasound Survey (For Physicians & Advanced Trainees)

You are invited to participate in this voluntary survey that aims to describe current pleural and lung ultrasound training practices in Australia and New Zealand amongst respiratory physicians and advanced trainees to help improve this training. The data will then be compared to a similar survey conducted in 2011 to determine whether progress is being made in the area of pleural ultrasound training.

We know that your time is valuable and therefore the survey has been kept short and will take only a few minutes to complete (14 MCQs, 5 minutes). All responses will be anonymous and analysed as a cohort. Your assistance will help shape future training provision within the Society.

Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PleuralUS

Please find contact details below if you would like more information about this study.

Dr Eve Denton, Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Advanced Trainee, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne
Dr Mark Hew , Head of Allergy Department, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne

Venous Thrombo-Embolism Survey

Dear Colleague,

Our research team is conducting a brief survey to better understand how physicians currently approach the management of patients with suspected and proven venous thromboembolism. We are currently inviting physicians who manage patients with venous thromboembolism throughout Australia to take part. The results of the survey will provide valuable information to guideline developers and may help in the development of educational resources for physicians and trainees who manage this group of patients.

We invite you to take part in a voluntary online survey, which will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.  There are no right or wrong answers to the questions in this survey.

Ethics approval has been granted for this study by Melbourne Health (Approval number QA2015182) and there are no anticipated risks to you by taking part in this research. All survey responses will be anonymous and confidential. No personal information that could identify you is being collected and your email address will not be linked to your survey response. Your consent to participate in this study is implied by completing the survey.

If you have any questions regarding this research, please do not hesitate to contact Dr Renee Manser or Mr Rory Wallace directly. Thank you in advance for participating.

If you have any complaints about any aspect of the project, the way it is being conducted or any questions about your rights as a research participant, then you may contact Ms Jessica Turner, Manager Human Research Ethics Committees, Melbourne Health on (03) 9342 8530. You will need to tell Ms Turner the number or name of the project (see above).

Please click on the link below to proceed to the survey. If the link fails to load automatically, please cut and paste it into your internet browser. 

Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/rmhvte

Dr Renee Manser, Respiratory Physician, Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Tel: 03 9342 7708
Mr Rory Wallace, Medical Student, Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Tel: 03 9342 7708
A/Prof Louis Irving, Director of Respiratory & Sleep Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne
Dr Mary Ann Anderson, Haematologist, Department of Clinical Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Service, The Royal Melbourne Hospital

Interview for physicians’ perspectives on the use of domiciliary oxygen therapy in interstitial lung disease (For Physicians) 

Researchers at Austin Health are currently recruiting respiratory physicians for a qualitative study investigating their views with the use of domiciliary oxygen therapy in patients with interstitial lung disease.

Invitation letter [PDF]

Participant Information Statement and Consent Form [PDF]

To take part in the study or receive further information, please contact Yet Hong Khor on 03 9496 5390

Using drawings to further understanding of people’s perceptions and experiences of their asthma 

You are invited to take part in a research study exploring the use of drawings to further understanding of people’s perceptions and experiences of their asthma.

This study is being conducted by researchers from the University of Sydney. You will be asked to complete a survey, a spirometry reading, an interview and a drawing activity. This will be conducted in one sitting and in-person with a researcher. The total time commitment is expected to be approximately one hour. You will be reimbursed for your time.

You can take part in this study if you are over 18 years of age and have been told by your doctor that you have asthma.

Invitation letter [PDF]

Participant Information Statement [PDF]

If you would like more details or would like to take part, please contact the researchers (details below):

A/Prof Lorraine Smith, Associate Professor, Faculty of Pharmacy, the University of Sydney. Telephone: 02 9036 7079
Ms Melissa Cheung, PhD Candidate, Faculty of Pharmacy, the University of Sydney.  Telephone: 02 9351 3710