Welcome and Introduction

More than Just “Stressed” – Understanding Anxiety

Often, a degree of anxiety is beneficial to keep us safe and motivated. At one point or another most of us are likely to experience some level of anxiety. However, when consumed by it, it can quickly become debilitating and life-altering. This session will review these common mental health conditions. Topics include:

• What is stress and how is it beneficial?
• How does anxiety differ from stress?
• Anxiety vs anxiety disorder – what are the key differences?
• How can we manage stress and normal anxiety?

Grey Rainbow: LGBTQI+ Mental Health

In Australia, people who identify as LGBTQI+ have the highest suicide rate of any group, but this rate could be even higher due to underreporting. This session discusses the mental health of those who identify as LGBTQI+ and includes:

• Why are LGBTQI+ communities at such a high risk for suicide?
• What are the ways we could better support our patients who identify as LGBTQI+ in accessing mental health services?

Not Just a Bit Down – Depression and Its Debilitating Effects

Depression is a disorder that affects one in four people in Australia. It is an illness that can be debilitating to the person and their carers, as well as a challenge to treat. This session will look at:

• The difference between normal ups and downs and clinical depression
• Risk factors for depression – from genetics to circumstances to lifestyle and why all are important
• Treatment options for depression – there’s more to it than just medication
• Communication skills that are helpful when interacting with someone who experiences depression – why patience, compassion and empathy are so important

Organ Donation

Despite medical attention, major trauma may result in the brain death of a patient. There is always a chance that some of these patients are eligible for organ donation or registered as an organ donor. In this session, we will discuss:

• What are the criteria for an eligible donor?
• How can we, as healthcare workers, respectfully approach the patient’s family regarding organ donation in both registered and unregistered potential donors?
• What are the clinical and ethical considerations in organ donation?

When Less Is More – Recognising the Unnecessary Use of Medicines

The adverse effects of medication are a constant concern for healthcare professionals. Knowing the potential risks of a medication can significantly prevent injury or harm, such as falls. This session will look at the adverse effects of medications, the need for deprescribing and how to prevent unnecessary harm. It includes:

• What are some of the common adverse effects of medicines?
• How can you reduce the risk of harm associated with medicines?
• Why is it important to be aware of adverse effects?
• What is deprescribing?
• What are the principles of deprescribing?

Medication Safety and Older Adults

As people age, their ability to metabolise medicines changes. As many older adults take multiple medicines, it is essential that their effect on one another be understood by those administering them. Failure to identify unnecessary and unsafe use of medicines, potential contraindications and serious interactions puts an older adult and the person administering medicines at a high risk. This important session discusses:

• Key physiological changes that affect the metabolism of medicines
• How to take a medication history
• Common causes of unsafe use of medicines in older adults
• High-risk medicines in older adults:
• Potentially inappropriate medicines
• Top 10 medication interactions
• Identifying unnecessary medicines and encouraging deprescribing

Is It Diabetes Type 1 or 2?

Most people diagnosed with diabetes as adults will be diagnosed with diabetes type 2. However, a recent study has found that some adults may actually have diabetes type 1. This session will discuss:

• How is diabetes type 1 misdiagnosed as diabetes type 2?
• Why is this misdiagnosis potentially harmful?
• Is there a way we prevent the misdiagnosis of diabetes in adults?

Shiftwork and Diabetes

It’s no mystery that shiftwork may potentially cause health issues. However, some studies have linked shiftwork, especially irregular shiftwork, to an added risk of diabetes. This session will explore:

• How can shiftwork affect the chances of developing diabetes?
• Is there a way that shiftworkers can mitigate the risk of developing diabetes?

Diabetes and Diabetes Emergencies – Essentials for All Nurses

Diabetes emergencies can occur for a range of reasons, can cause a great deal of anxiety and may be life-threatening. In this session, you will learn about current best-practice nursing care for common diabetes-related emergencies. It includes:

• Diabetes emergencies – what to watch for and how to respond
• Care of diabetes-related emergencies in the hospital and other settings
• An update on the most common medications used to treat these conditions

Dietary Adjustments in Type 1 and 2 Diabetes

Patients with a diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes may benefit from certain nutritional approaches. However, with so much pseudo-nutrition advice available for consumption, how can we assess which approaches may best manage certain symptoms? This session considers the latest research in diets for patients with Type 2 Diabetes (T2) with regard to medical nutrition therapy and includes:

• Very Low Energy Diet (VLED)
• Fasting
• Weight loss pharmacotherapy

Going Home Happy – Not Taking “It” Personally

Too often, people in the workplace experience negative emotions as a result of incivility. This, clearly, can be destructive and lead to disengaged workplaces where no one benefits. Establishing and maintaining clear personal boundaries has proven to be an effective strategy for dealing with the unpredictable and unstable behaviours of others, including other staff. This session highlights:

• How can personal boundaries protect you?
• How can you build and maintain boundaries you are comfortable with?
• What do you do when your boundaries are challenged?

Who Really Uses It? Facts About Ice

The impact of ice and methamphetamine use is now well known to have a highly disruptive impact on some individuals, and these effects may well extend to families and communities. However, a conversation around this drug also needs to consider who exactly uses these drugs, what is the real prevalence of use and how big of a problem are concurrent mental health issues? This session will challenge your perceptions of ice and methamphetamine use and addresses:

• Rebuffing the myths – who actually uses ice, how big a problem is it?
• How does the media influence our perception of ice and a typical “ice addict”?
• How extensive is ice use compared to other drugs of addiction?
• Are we talking enough about co-existing mental health conditions?