May PD Opportunities

Some of the professional development opportunities available in May

Read – professional reading

Wray, T. B., et al. (2016) Systematic review of interventions to reduce problematic alcohol use in men who have sex with men. Drug Alcohol Rev, 35: 148–157.

doi: 10.1111/dar.12271.

Arjunan, P., Poder, N., Welsh, K., Bellear, L., Heathcote, J., Wright, D., ... & Wen, L. M. (2015). Smoking among Aboriginal adults in Sydney, Australia. Health Promotion Journal of Australia.

http://www.publish.csiro.au/index.cfm?act=view_file&file_id=HE15020.pdf

Wilkinson, C., Allsop, S., and Dare, J. (2016) Alcohol, ageing and Australia. Drug Alcohol Rev, 35: 232–235.

doi: 10.1111/dar.12301.

Attend – informal learning sessions, journal club, seminar series

Journal club (available to Healthy Options workers only)

Internal professional development session held in the Annerley boardroom and via Skype meeting.
February’s journal club will be presented by the Creating Options team.
Date: 24^th May, 12.30pm AEST

Evaluating Social Programs

Learn why evaluations matter and how they can be used to rigorously measure the social impact of development programs. This practical course will provide a thorough understanding of randomized evaluations, with pragmatic step-by-step training for conducting one’s own evaluation. Through a combination of lectures and case studies from real randomized evaluations, the course will focus on the benefits and methods of randomization, choosing an appropriate sample size, and common threats and pitfalls to the validity of an experiment. While the course is centered around the why, how, and when of randomized evaluations, it will also impart insights on the importance of a needs assessment, measuring outcomes effectively, quality control, and monitoring methods that are useful for all kinds of evaluations. 
When: 2^nd May         
Duration: 5 weeks, 4hr/week
https://www.edx.org/course/evaluating-social-programs-mitx-jpal101x-3#!

Attend - conferences

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Conference

This inaugural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Conference gathers together experts and members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and the wider community from across the country to Alice Springs, the heart of the Aboriginal nations.  Over two days those gathered will exchange learnings, share lived experiences, build knowledge and inspire one another as to how we can best strengthen communities to tackle this entrenched tragedy.
When: 5 – 6 May 2016
Time: Welcome Reception - Wednesday 4 May 2016 5:00pm – Friday 6 May 2016 4:30pm
Where: Alice Springs Convention Centre, Alice Springs NT
Cost: $770
http://www.atsispep.sis.uwa.edu.au/natsispc-2016

Australian and New Zealand Addiction Conference

The Conference, hosted by the Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association, will include workshops, presentations and forums dedicated to sharing skills and understanding in the treatment of all addictive disorders, including alcohol and other drugs, behavioural addictions, and the emerging field of online compulsive behaviour in both adults and children.
When: 19-20^th May
Where: Gold Coast
Cost: $475 - $975.  See website for details
http://addictionaustralia.org.au/

2016 National Hepatitis Health Promotion Conference

The conference will explore the future health promotion response to viral hepatitis in Australia and look at how the sector workforce can maximise engagement and support people affected by viral hepatitis.  The primary aim of the National Hepatitis Health Promotion Conference is to support the community-based viral hepatitis sector workforce to increase their knowledge and skills in order to effectively reach and engage with identified priority populations, and to plan, implement and evaluate successful viral hepatitis health promotion projects.
When: 19^th – 20^th May
Where: Melbourne
Cost: $250
http://www.hepatitisaustralia.com/health-promotion-conference-2016/

Listen – podcasts, webinars

MindOUT! Webinar

This series of webinars critically engages participants on topics of LGBTI+ mental health and suicide prevention.  Topic for May is to be announced.  In the meantime, catch-up on the seminars held earlier this year
When: 10^th May
http://lgbtihealth.org.au/mindout-webinars/

Insight Webinars

Wednesdays at 10am
http://insightqld.org/webinars/

Mass Media for Preventing Illicit Drug Use

Cameron Francis Social Worker, Dovetail 
Have you met Stoner Sloth?  Seen Faces of Meth?  Lost your standards?  This talk will focus on the effectiveness of mass media campaigns for preventing illicit drug use by providing an overview of the research and some of the potential harms they cause.  The presentation will conclude by providing an overview of ‘what really works’ in preventing illicit substance use.
When: 4^th May

Hep C: Opportunities and Challenges for Treatment 

Dr Paul Clark Staff Gastroenterologist, P.A. Hospital 
Dr Paul Clark is a hepatologist providing in- and outpatient care for patients with liver disease.  In this presentation Dr Clark will provide an update on the rollout of daclatasvir and sofosbuvir regimens for Hep C including practical information and advice for AOD practitioners on how to best assess, communicate, advocate and plan for clients’ access to this new treatment.
When: 11^th May

Managing Persistent Pain 

Joyce McSwan Persistent Pain Program Manager / Clinical Pharmacist Gold Coast Primary Health Network 
This presentation will provide an update on how collaborative partnerships with primary healthcare professionals can significantly improve patient outcomes in relation to persistent pain management.  The session will also explore some case studies to demonstrate practical information on how to best assess, support and navigate a client’s persistent pain condition with the focus of achieving sustainable care.
When: 18^th May

Substance-Induced Psychotic Disorders (SIPD) 

Assoc. Prof Leanne Hides Deputy Director - Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research (CYSAR), QUT 
Substance-induced psychotic disorders (SIPD) are an under-recognised disorder that occurs in 30-50% of individuals presenting to mental health and alcohol and other drug (AOD) services.   This presentation will review the research evidence for SIPD and discuss the clinical implications for identifying and treating SIPD in mental health and AOD settings
When: 25^th May

New(ish) tools for AOD workers

Some new tools that may be of use to AOD workers

Slots and shots: Gambling resources for AOD workers
Launched in November last year, Slots and Shots is a much needed suite of gambling resource for alcohol and other drug workers. It contains a tri-fold client handout, waiting room poster, a report, and a wallet sized quick reference reminder for clinicians.
The resource was developed to help AOD workers address the complex problems often experienced by their clients, and highlights the similarities between problem gambling and substance misuse.
Many AOD clients present with co-occurring substance and gambling problems. For every client with a serious gambling problem, 5 to 10 other people are affected. As such, there is a pressing need to strengthen AOD workers’ skills and understanding of gambling, so they may respond appropriately to client needs and improve client outcomes.
NCETA are currently working on an online training package for clinicians due for roll out 2017.
http://nceta.flinders.edu.au/?cID=647


ReachOut - The Toolbox
ReachOut have collected a range of apps for health and wellbeing that have been endorsed by professionals and reviewed by under 25y/o (their target group).
Apps are sorted into catagories including:

• Health and Fitness
• Being independent
• Relationships and helping others
• Thoughts and emotions
• Dealing with tough times

http://au.reachout.com/sites/thetoolbox

Buckinghamshire Mephedrone Handbook 
This pack is intended as a guide for drug workers and other professionals working with mephedrone (Mcat, Meph, Meow Meow) users. It also includes a section that focuses on novel psychoactive substances (NPS), the chemical families these compounds belong to, and the appropriate treatment response that could be tailored for people who experience problems with these drugs.  This handbook has been published in the UK, but is still applicable to Australia.
http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/media/3523884/Bucks-Mephedrone-Handbook.pdf


Working with substance use: Manchester Metropolitan University
A UK website providing online resources for health and social care professionals. The aim is to provide you with a basic understanding of a number of substance-related topics to inform and develop your practice.  They include presentations, film clips from experts (both service users and professionals), animations, individual and group exercises, and practice scenarios to help apply your learning. They also offer suggestions for future study and personal development.
These resources can be explored in one go or dipped into for information on specific areas. They can be used for individual or group self-study and continuing professional development, and they can be used in teaching or learning by academics and trainers.
Resources are included for working with significant others, working with comorbidity, approaches for working with substance use, assessment tools, and more.
https://workingwithsubstanceuse.wordpress.com/