$1.5 million MRFF grant to help protect aged-care residents from medication errors

Macquarie University has been awarded $1.5 million in the latest round of Medical Research Future Fund grants to create a one-stop digital platform for faster and easier medication reviews by pharmacists.

This research is in response to reports during the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety that found aged-care residents were at increased risk of harm from medication errors, with each resident experiencing on average three to four medication-related problems.

The new platform will allow all stakeholders, including pharmacists, general practitioners, aged-care staff and aged-care residents and their carers to monitor the medication review process.

Australian Institute of Health Innovation researchers Dr Karla Seaman and Dr Magda Raban are leading the project’s multidisciplinary research team, which includes researchers from Macquarie and Edith Cowan Universities, pharmacists, nurses and general practitioners.

“Involving all stakeholders more routinely in the review of medication, and having the review recommendations followed, is a very effective way of improving care for residents,” Dr Seaman says.

“The integrated approach will make optimal use of medication reviews for the safer use of medicines in residential aged care, as well as reducing the burden on aged-care staff,” Dr Raban says.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Sakkie Pretorius says it is extremely pleasing to see high-quality health research led by early- to mid-career researchers receiving significant funding.

“This funding will allow us to pioneer further knowledge and innovation in aged care and wellness, which is a key part of our Healthy People research priority, and an area of increasing importance as our population ages,” he says.

“We can be proud of the important work we are doing at Macquarie to improve not only the quality and safety of aged care, but also residents’ quality of life.”

Project partners include Best Health Solutions, Heritage Care, Aged Care Industry Information Technology Council, Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia and Consumers Health Forum of Australia.

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Smart Sensing Network funds hearing innovation project

Dr Kelly Miles, a Research Fellow in Macquarie University Hearing’s ECHO Lab, has been awarded $99,234 in grant funding from the NSW Smart Sensing Network (NSSN) Grand Challenge Fund. Dr Miles’ project, The MOSAIC Study (Motion Optic and Sound Sensors to Assess Interactive Communication), is a collaboration with Western Sydney University, Cochlear Ltd and Google Research Australia. The MOSAIC Study aims to revolutionise how people with hearing devices listen and communicate. The team is working to develop next-generation signal processing algorithms, machine learning, and hearing and communication devices that use sensors to detect conversational difficulties and prevent communication breakdown. NSSN is a not-for-profit innovation network funded by the NSW Government through the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer. The Grand Challenge Fund provides funding for research on five ‘Grand Challenges’: ageing, bushfires, clean tech, smart places and buildings, and water.

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Research project about early childhood education pay and conditions receives funding

A multidisciplinary team of Macquarie University researchers specialising in early childhood education (ECE), industrial relations, workforce and economic analysis has received $270,690 in funding from the ACT Government for the project ‘Early Childhood Education Pay and Conditions Research’. Professor Sheila Degotardi, Dr Tamara Cumming and Dr Natalie Brand from the School of Education, alongside Professor Rebecca Mitchell, Associate Professor Jun Gu, Professor Louise Thornthwaite and Associate Professor Kompal Sinha from Macquarie Business School, aim to identify pay and employment conditions that will positively impact the attraction and retention of ECE educators. The research team will generate findings and recommendations that will inform ECE policy and industrial relations reform as well as workforce initiatives planned by large and small ECE employers.

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Professor of Respiratory Medicine recognised by Lung Foundation Australia

Professor Matthew Peters from Macquarie Medical School has been named as one of the Lung Foundation Australia’s Lung Health Legends for 2023. Professor Peters, who is also Head of Respiratory Medicine at Concord Hospital, is Co-chair of the Woolcock Institute’s Lung Cancer Research Network and has had a long-term interest in lung cancer research with a focus on preventative health. The Lung Health Legend Awards recognise people who have made a positive impact on the lives of Australians affected by lung disease or lung cancer.

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Humanities and social science disciplines shine in QS Subject Rankings

Macquarie’s teaching and research excellence in the humanities has once again been demonstrated with impressive results in the QS Subject Rankings 2023. Linguistics rose one spot to 27th in the world, while classics and ancient history and philosophy continue to rank in the top 50. Psychology, accounting and finance maintained their positions within the top 100, while modern languages made significant progress, jumping from 151-200 to 101-150.

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50 Australian women at the cutting edge of science announced

Professor Ronika Power from the Department of History and Archaeology and Professor Alison Rodger from the School of Natural Sciences have been featured in a round-up of 50 Australian women at the cutting edge of science by the Royal Institute of Australia’s Cosmos Magazine. The list was compiled in honour of International Women’s Day 2023 to showcase “exceptional and interesting” women scientists and researchers across Australia. The list features incredible and inspiring women scientists from across disciplines including anthropology, archaeology, physics, technology, health and medical sciences, and chemistry.

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NEAS Endorsement for Macquarie University College

Macquarie University College has received NEAS Endorsement for its English Medium of Instruction (EMI) course suite. The EMI Centre, launched in 2021, focuses on designing and delivering bespoke programs for higher education providers using English as the medium of instruction. As part of its customised services, the EMI Centre specialises in developing the English language proficiency of educators, as well as methodology and best practice for teaching in English.

The suite of courses aims to assist educational institutions globally to address the gap between policy and practice in the delivery of courses in English and enhance the skills of professionals within client institutions. In receiving the NEAS endorsement, the course suite was commended for the extensive research undertaken to inform its development and the expertise of its staff. Noted highlights included the comprehensive needs analysis undertaken in the varying markets in Asia Pacific and Latin America, and its flexibility in the development and delivery of bespoke programs to suit client needs. An EMI Centre Advisory Board has been established to provide ongoing guidance and quality assurance, with best practice industry standards used to validate decisions and design.