Clinical Research Directory

EpiFaith Resident Learning Curve Trial

This study aims to evaluate the impact of the EpiFaith® syringe on the learning curve of anesthesia residents for the labor epidural technique. Anesthesia residents with prior experience placing \< 5 labor epidurals will be enrolled. Their performance of 20 sequential labor epidural placements with either standard technique with a beveled glass syringe or the EpiFaith® syringe will be observed. Successful epidural placement over time with sequential epidural placement attempts will be measured between groups. The primary outcome will be rate of successful epidural placement. Success will be defined as a composite of 4 criteria: maximum 3 attempts for placement; no need to re-site at a different level; no required intervention by the supervising attending anesthesiologist; and adequate analgesia with a visual analog score (VAS) \<3 at 30 minutes. We hypothesize that use of the EpiFaith® syringe will enable a faster learning curve for successful epidural placement. A cumulative sum chart (CUSUM) analysis will evaluate whether the EpiFaith® syringe causes deviation from the control learning curve. Secondary outcomes will include rate of inadvertent dural puncture and epidural replacement rate.

Interventions in Mathematics and Cognitive Skills

The purpose of this study is to investigate neurocognitive mechanisms underlying response to intervention aimed at enhancing, and remediating weaknesses in, numerical skills in children, including those with mathematical learning disabilities (MLD).

Comparison Between the I-gel and Protector Supraglottic Airway Devices

This study aims to compare the learning curves of two different laryngeal mask airway devices, by evaluating their placement in adult patients performed by anesthesiology residents

National Robotics-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy Database

In Australia, nearly 70 men are diagnosed with Prostate cancer every day. Prostate removal (Radical Prostatectomy) is the proven treatment option to control cancer spread. Most of the prostate removal surgeries are done using robots. Robotic assisted prostate removal surgeries have been invented to minimise the risk of side effects post-surgery. Doctors prefer the robots over open surgery as there are benefits to patients (shorter hospital stays, lesser blood loss and better quality of life) and surgeons (better dexterity, improved field of vision and less pain). However, the cost of the robot outweighs the benefits at present and there is very less information concerning the long-term outcomes for patients. Studies conducted so far are small scale studies and the results from these studies cannot be generalized to the population at large in Australia. So, there is need for a largescale study that will look at the long-term outcomes and the factors that impact robotic surgeries across the metropolitan and rural hospital sectors. Hence, this comprehensive database has been setup to collaborate with major hospitals, across metropolitan and rural areas in Australia. Through this database, researchers will be able to explore the diagnostic pathway for Prostate cancer and understand the long-term benefits of robotic surgery through patient reported questionnaires. Outcomes from this database will also help compare the quality of care against other powerhouses of robotic surgery. Eventually, the database aims to standardize diagnostic pathways and clinical notes that are the same across different hospitals conducting robotic-assisted surgeries for Prostatectomy and improve care for prostate cancer patients across the country.