October 2023

Soooo close

October 2023

We’re so close. Home is calling, I can smell the beach, and exams are almost upon us. I started writing this from the train somewhere in between Swan Hill and Melbourne, and it already feels like a holiday. Exams may be big, but they’ll be over in no time and you’ll be boogieing down at Dopamine Delirium before you know it. Don’t forget to live a little and make the most of your final weeks in Orange or your RCS too.

Fluoro will be continuing over summer so remember to send in your recaps of any cool placements or pd you attend (dorky also accepted). Read on for some amazing research tips and tales, a recap of a sexual health placement, why you should use pronouns, and to meet the new charms exec!

A word from CHARMS

New Exec!

We held our AGM recently and voted in a new executive team. Some additional roles will open up in the new year to give first years the chance to join but if you want to get involved keep an eye out or get in touch!

AMC Report

If you’d like to read the final report shoot a CHARMS member a message.

Oceans to Outback is on!

Opportunities

Speak to Heidi about NRHSN! Nominations are still open

  • Medical Student Rural Inspiration Conference: Coogee, November 25th

    • Heidi and Chloe C advising on this event, and Heidi and Jamil attended last year if you want to chat to someone about what to expect

    • RDN cadets in 3rd year will be attending (if not on a cruise)

    • program is looking really exciting! with discussion of rural specialites, internship, single employer model and an RFDS workshop

    • sign up here

  • Research: Barriers to LGBTQIA+ people accessing mental health services in regional, rural and remote settings in NSW. Contact Larissa or Chloe Johnston.

  • RANZCP New South Wales Branch Conference, being held at the Rydges Resort, Hunter Valley, from Friday 3 November to Sunday 5 November 2023.

  • If you’re interested in psychiatry make sure that you’re a part of PIF, RANZCP’s interest forum. They are often offering student bursaries for conference attendance, e.g. for the RANZCP 2023 Section of Neuropsychiatry Conference. Apply here.

What's On in Orange

  • Twilight Markets Canowindra: 3rd Friday of the month

  • Cumnock Markets: 3rd Saturday of the month

  • Orange Wine Festival: 17th-19th October

  • Factory Espresso Comedy ft. Rhys Nicholson and Joel Creasey: 19th-20th October

  • Spring into Art at Newbridge: 19th-22nd October

  • Australian National Field Days @ Borenore: 25th-28th October

  • Orange in Bloom - Garden Weekend: 2nd-5th November

  • Millthorpe Garden Ramble: 3rd-5th November

  • Carcoar Running Festival: 5th November

The Highs and Lows of Scientific Research - Amanda Wright

I recently experienced the privilege of publishing my doctoral research in the prestigious journal "Molecular Neurodegeneration," which was a source of immense excitement for two significant reasons. Firstly, it played a small role in debunking the long-standing amyloid theory of Alzheimer's disease, which had persisted for decades, due to a handful of persistent old men. Secondly, it marked the gratifying culmination of a gruelling decade, filled with countless late nights, early morning coffees, and the disappearance of weekends. But, engaging in research you're passionate about can undoubtably fulfilling. So, reflecting on this long journey, I've thought about what aspects I have liked, and what I should have done differently and put together some of advice for those starting MD projects:

Amanda - MDII

  1. Follow your passion. Find a topic you are passionate about. This is an obvious one, but without this the research is going to fall of the parch before its begun.

  2. Join the best team you can. This is imperative. Research, no matter the kind is best done with a team. And be prepared for that team to take a long journey together. Honesty and ability to work together are key.

  3. Judge others. Learning to critique others research will help pick up “bad” things to avoid and get good ideas for how to put together your research.

  4. Embrace statistics. For those doing quantitative research, make statistics your friend. Get to know your p values, appreciate them. Love them. Understanding the maths behinds your data, drives your hypothesis and research further.

  5. Document Document Document. Never underestimate the power of good note taking. Not only can these be legally binding, but they also make your life easier when you go to write up your research. Maintaining meticulous notes is more challenging than it may seem at first, and it requires consistent practice

  6. Setbacks suck; kind of. Don’t be disheartened if the results are not positive. A negative result is still a result. I have had many projects that I thought would be the most amazing drug to improve neurodegeneration. Only to spend 2 years realising I have gone down the wrong rabbit holes. But that’s ok, negative results are important and worth publishing.

  7. It hurts when you’re judged! Don’t be disheartened when you’re rejected from a journal. This happens more times than acceptance happens. Peer reviewing is brutal! Don’t take it to heart.

  8. But celebrate the victories! This makes the process all worth while to leave your little mark on the changing world.

Research Corner: Josh Tomas

Josh in the lab (artist’s impression)

Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the Melbourne Stem Cell Centre Research, which works mainly to provide patients with osteoarthritis , stem cell (MSC) therapy and conduct research simultaneously. Additionally, the clinic offers platelet rich plasma for both osteoarthritis and tendonitis.

The first aspect of the clinic that grabbed my attention was its emphasis on patient comfortability and satisfaction. Before any procedures, patients were given as much time as they needed to ask any questions or express any concerns with either Dr Frietag or Renee (NP), while they enjoyed their own private space, in comfortable recliner chairs with access to laptops. Once in the operating room, patients would get to select their own music, were continuously spoken to by the team, and were offered anxiety calming techniques … in the form of nitrous oxide. The local anesthesia at the practice was buffered with sodium bicarbonate, to reduce the pain in the otherwise already low pH solution, and Renee had even spoken to me about how pain theory, in particular, pain pathway sensitisation, was incorporated into the patients treatment. One of the first patients I saw had come from Sydney and remarked they don’t mind the trip due to how accommodating and caring the practise is.

The day consisted of watching 2x lipoaspirate from the stomach, collecting 20g of fat each time, multiple injections of the then cultured mesenchymal stem cells into joints with osteoarthritis, and injections of PRP into various tendons and joints. Many of the patients seen were repeat patients, who were satisfied with their improved pain, functionality and cartilage growth of previously affected joints, and were seeking treatment for other joints.

The platelet rich plasma injection was a procedure that could be done all in the same day. After a blood serum sample was acquired, they would then place it in the centrifuge to separate the blood layers to obtain a sample containing mostly … platelet rich plasma. This could be used for both tendonitis, but also to patients with osteoarthritis while they waited for the stem cells to proliferate as a temporary alleviation of pain. Once the stem cells were ready, patients could expect to receive anywhere from 5 -10 million in a single injection into the affected joint.

The Stem cell osteoarthritis lab is planning on conducting the largest allogeneic stem cell therapy for osteoarthritis of the hip next year, and is after hoping to get the treatment enlisted as a TGA approved pharmaceutical. It was interesting to note also how the results seen at the clinic differed to what was recommended by large organizations such as RACGP, where stem cells for osteoarthritis are still not recommended, which could be due to lack of research at the point in time, but for many of the patients with osteoarthritis they ended up needing an otherwise necessary joint replacement. The clinic also found benefit in delaying people's need for joint replacement, meaning they might not need their replacement changed due to the extra years gained.

Josh Tomas

creations in the lab (artist’s impression)

The Rainbow Connection

The 20th of October marks international pronouns day!
(deadline missed by editor but still relevant)

What does this mean?

It’s a great way to remind everyone the importance of pronouns and the role they play in our lives. After your name, pronouns are a way of identifying ourselves and the gender we align with. Whilst you may use the same pronouns you’ve had since birth, for trans people changing pronouns to those that match their identity is huge part of validating their identities. By respectfully using the correct pronouns, you are having a hugely affirming impact on trans peoples lives.

So next time you’re introducing yourself, introduce yourself with your pronouns! Ask the person what their pronouns are too! Normalising this process makes it so much easier for trans people and creates a safer, more inclusive environment for all.

Theo Stack, MDIII

If you’re after pronoun or ally stickers for your name badge try https://badgie.co/

Wellbeing / bonus Riverina MiC recap

For MIC two very lucky students got to spend two weeks with the sexual health clinic at Wagga Wagga base hospital. This by far was the best two weeks of placement of 3rd year. The nurse led team have so much knowledge it’s crazy and they provide amazing care to at risk groups in the area. The team even has a specialist HIV doctor who visits once a month, and she was so valuable to learn from.

As part of the placement, we got to sit in on consults, be part of education and promotion days as well as outreach clinics. My knowledge on HIV and Hep C really benefited from the placement. Treatment in both these areas really is the cool cutting edge of medicine. Most importantly learning about how to approach sexual health in patients was so valuable and it was incredible to watch the professionals in action, normalising sexual health and the uncomfortable questions.

So not only was a treated to some amazing cooking while I was there (proof below) but I really loved my time with the clinic. If you do get the opportunity to do MIC at a sexual health clinic I 10/10 recommend.

So finally, to tag on a touch of wellbeing when was the last time you went to your own GP? Exams can be a stressful time but make sure you stay on top of your own health. While you are there make sure you are on top of your own sexual health and normalise asking your GP for a STI screen if you have symptoms or change partners.