Health professionals

ADDRI Seminar Series

The ADDRI Seminar Series is the initiative of Dr Elham Beheshti and is designed to foster collaboration and knowledge amongst medical and scientific researchers. Taking place on the last Tuesday of each month, the series brings together renowned speakers, interactive sessions and a light lunch provided by an Industry sponsor.

It is a wonderful opportunity to learn and connect with fellow researchers and to stay updated on the latest products and technology.

Previous speakers have included:

• Professor Cameron Turtle, Haematologist on the topic: Lessons from the early days of CD19 CAR-T cell immunotherapy for B cell malignancies.
• Distinguished Professor Brian Oliver on the topic “Adverse health effects of air pollution, evidence from in-vitro and in-vivo models.”
• Professor Andrew Harman on the topic “New Insights into #Sexual Transmission of #HIV using Human #Anogenital Tissues.”
• Professor John Rasko, Clinical Haematologist, Pathologist and Scientist on the topic “Advancing mesothelioma management with the help of mesothelin”

Mesothelioma Learning Module: For nurses and professionals caring for patients with mesothelioma.

The first of its kind in Australia, this rapid eLearning resource is designed to build awareness and understanding in nurses and allied health professionals about the various types of Mesothelioma; how it presents and how to care for patients through the cycle of the disease.

At ADDRI, we have long been aware of the vital role that nurses play in diagnosing and caring for patients with mesothelioma, as well as providing crucial support to them generally and their families. However, there has been little education available specifically for nurses on this disease. Supported by a successful grant via the Dust Diseases Board (DDB), ADDRI has spent the last few months consulting and developing this comprehensive one-stop resource tool and testing it amongst our cohorts.

Designed as a 30-minute module, the participant will follow the chronological timeline from pre-diagnosis, diagnosis, treatment, care – to end of life. Having supported mesothelioma patients and their families, we know first-hand how crucial the nurse is – it is this group who can determine good experiences over bad.

Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

The Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma are the result of a systematic review of the literature guided by National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) methodology. Recommendations for the management of this asbestos-related malignancy have been made on the basis of the available scientific evidence.

The Asbestos and Diseases Research Institute, and the national team of experts involved in the preparation of the Guidelines intended that they become a source of reference for health practitioners and consumers. Guidelines are guides and not rules. A good approach is to be fully aware of appropriate guidelines before making management decisions.

These Guidelines will assist health practitioners:

• To make adequate steps in the diagnostic process, and
• To identify the prerequisites needed to draft an optimal treatment proposal.

These guidelines were approved by the Chief Executive Officer of the NHMRC on 2 July 2013, under Section 14A of the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992. In approving these guidelines the NHMRC considers that they meet the NHMRC standard for clinical practice guidelines. This approval was valid for a period of 5 years until July 2018.