3-Month Melatonin Supplementation to Reduce Brain Oxidative Stress and Improve Sleep in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomised Controlled Feasibility Trial.

Melatonin has multiple proposed therapeutic benefits including antioxidant properties, circadian rhythm synchronisation and sleep promotion. Since these areas are also recognised risk factors for dementia, melatonin has been hypothesised to slow cognitive decline in older adults. Participants with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) were recruited from the community for a 12-week randomised placebo-controlled parallel, feasibility trial of 25 mg oral melatonin nightly.

Exploring the pharmacist role in insomnia management and care provision: A scoping review.

Background: Insomnia is a highly burdensome sleep disorder, with a global prevalence of approximately 30% in adults. Insomnia has negative effects on daily functioning and can play a pivotal role in the development and progression of comorbid mental and physical disease. Therefore, appropriate and timely management is essential.

The Attitudes, Beliefs and Perspectives of Registered Nurses on Sleep Health Management in Residential Aged Care Facilities: A Qualitative Study.

Aim: To explore the attitudes, beliefs and perspectives of registered nurses (RNs) regarding sleep health and sleep health management of residents living in aged care settings in Australia.

Design: Qualitative inductive thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with RNs working in residential aged care facilities using a topic guide between August 2021 and April 2022.

Delivery of Enhanced Asthma Care in Pharmacies: Perceptions and Experiences of Australian Service Providers.

Background: Evidence-based asthma management services have been tested in Australian community pharmacies for over two decades and have been well received by patients but are not retained in practice. The positive clinical outcomes of these tested services suggest the potential for wider implementation, for which the providers' perspective is critical.

Objective: This investigation evaluates the implementability of the Pharmacy Asthma Service (PAS) through the experiences and perceptions of the community pharmacists delivering the service.

Factors Influencing COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence and Uptake in Australian Adults.

In January 2021, Australia initiated a national COVID-19 vaccine rollout strategy but faced setbacks, leading to negative press and media controversy, which may have diminished vaccine confidence. This study aimed to assess the factors influencing vaccine confidence in Australian adults (≥18 years of age) following the administration of a COVID-19 vaccine. Conducted at Blacktown Hospital, Sydney, a cross-sectional survey with 1053 respondents gauged vaccine confidence and influencing factors.

Nurses' attitudes, beliefs and knowledge of sleep health in residential aged care: An integrative literature review.

Aim: To identify, synthesize and evaluate primary research on registered nurses' (RN) knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about sleep health and sleep health management of older adults living in residential aged care.

Design: Integrative review.

Data Sources: Medline, Embase and CINAHL databases from inception to September 2023.

Exploring First Nations' and Cultural Safety Content of Pharmacy Curricula With Academics in Australia.

Objective: This study aimed to explore academics' views on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health and Cultural Safety content in pharmacy school curricula to inform recommendations for future curricula.

Methods: All 18 Australian pharmacy schools were contacted, and interviews were conducted with consenting heads of school and/or their delegate(s). The interviews covered what the school was doing with respect to the First Nations theme in the revised accreditation standards and further ideas for improvement.

Over-the-counter use of short-acting beta-2 agonists: a systematic review.

Background: The widespread use of short-acting beta-2 agonists (SABA) as an as-needed treatment for asthma is well-established. However, excessive use of SABA has been linked to undesirable outcomes such as increased risk of asthma attacks, exacerbations, and even death. The availability of SABA as an over-the-counter (OTC) medication has contributed to their overuse, leading to undertreated asthma and reduced access to asthma education.

The Role of Adult Vaccines as Part of Antimicrobial Stewardship: A Scoping Review.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant global health concern, causing an estimated 700,000 deaths annually. Although immunisation has been shown to significantly reduce AMR, the role of vaccines as part of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) practices is often overlooked.

Objective: To identify and examine the available literature on the role of vaccines as part of AMS practices.

Cannabinol (CBN; 30 and 300 mg) effects on sleep and next-day function in insomnia disorder ('CUPID' study): protocol for a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over, three-arm, proof-of-concept trial.

Objective: Insomnia is the most prevalent sleep disorder, with few effective pharmacotherapies. Anecdotal reports and recent preclinical research suggest that cannabinol (CBN), a constituent of derived from delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, could be an effective treatment. Despite this, the isolated effects of CBN on sleep have yet to be systematically studied in humans.

Perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors of asthma patients towards the use of short-acting β2-agonists: A systematic review.

Background: Short-acting β2-agonists (SABA), the most potent and rapid-acting relievers are commonly used to provide quick relief of asthma symptoms. However, there is an increasing concern regarding the misuse of SABA medicines.

Objective: This qualitative systematic review aims to determine, evaluate, and summarize the perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors towards the use of SABA from the patients' perspectives.

Assessing adherence to medications: Is there a difference between a subjective method and an objective method, or between using them concurrently?

Background: Patients' adherence to medication can be assessed by several subjective or objective methods. The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) has recommended the use of both measures simultaneously.

Objective: To assess patients' adherence to medication using a subjective or an objective method separately, and via using a combination of both methods.

Improving sleep health management in primary care: A potential role for community nurses?

Aims: To explore community nurses sleep health practices and their perspectives on improving sleep health care provision.

Design: An exploratory study utilizing the qualitative description methodology.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with community nurses from May 2019 - October 2021.

Healthcare expenditure and its socio-demographic and clinical predictors in Australians with poorly controlled asthma.

Introduction: Asthma has substantial and increasing health and economic burden worldwide. This study aimed to estimate healthcare expenditure and determine the factors that increase expenditure in Australians with poorly controlled asthma.

Methods: Individuals ≥18 years of age with poorly controlled asthma, as determined by a score ≥1.

Palliative care education in an Australian undergraduate pharmacy curriculum: an exploratory descriptive study.

Objectives: To examine the self-perceived knowledge, confidence and preparedness of undergraduate pharmacy students to provide palliative care.

Methods: A descriptive exploratory analysis was conducted in 2021 at an Australian university involving final-year pharmacy students (n = 200) who were provided with the opportunity to complete a survey on self-perceived knowledge, confidence and preparedness overall and with respect to a range of graduate capabilities which are essential to provide care in palliative care settings. Key capability areas include: communication, showing empathy, making clinical judgements and self-reflection.

A cross-sectional survey exploring the knowledge, experiences and attitudes of Australian pharmacists toward medicinal cannabis.

Background: Australian pharmacists currently dispense a wide range of prescription-only cannabis-based medicines. Recent regulatory changes will expand the role of pharmacists, allowing certain low-dose cannabidiol products to be supplied without a prescription in pharmacies. This harmonises Australia with many other countries where cannabidiol products are readily available to consumers.

Patient uptake and outcomes following pharmacist-initiated referrals to general practitioners for asthma review.

Uptake and outcomes of pharmacist-initiated general practitioner (GP) referrals for patients with poorly controlled asthma were investigated. Pharmacists referred at-risk patients for GP assessment. Patients were categorized as action takers (consulted their GP on pharmacist's advice) or action avoiders (did not action the referral).

Narcolepsy: Comorbidities, complexities and future directions.

Patients with narcolepsy live with a lifelong sleep-wake disorder, impairing their quality of life, productivity, educational and employment outcomes. Clinicians are becoming aware that a significant aspect of the burden of this disease relates to frequent comorbid conditions, including aspects of the patient's emotional, metabolic, sleep and immune health. This review explores the literature describing the comorbidities seen in patients with narcolepsy, to enhance understanding of these often complex presentations.

Armodafinil to reduce the sleepiness related side-effects of sleep restriction therapy being used to treat insomnia disorder: An open label clinical trial pilot study compared with historical controls.

Sleep restriction therapy (SRT) is an effective stand-alone behavioural intervention for insomnia disorder. However, its daytime side effects, particularly sleepiness, may be troubling for patients and/or may be a necessary part of the patient's treatment journey. This pilot trial aims to explore the potential benefit of armodafinil, a wakefulness promoter.