Flinders introduces online mental wellbeing program for IBD patients
Flinders University has developed an online program that seeks to improve the way people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) deal with their body image and mental wellbeing.
The ten-module online program, done over three weeks, is based on mindfulness techniques, cognitive behavioural therapy, and self-compassion training.
According to a media release, the program provides educational materials, guided exercises, and reflection tasks related to appreciating body functionality, managing social comparisons, and challenging negative thought patterns.
"While much of the focus in IBD care has been on managing the disease, the psychological impact, particularly how patients perceive their own bodies, has often been neglected," explained Dr Mia Pellizzer, who leads the study about the online program. She noted that up to 81% of IBD patients experience distress related to their body image.
IBD is fast increasing in Australia, with projections estimating 200,000 Australians to be affected within 10 years.
Flinders is set to pilot the program with IBD patients, followed by a randomised controlled trial to assess its effectiveness.
Virtual menopause hub launched in southwestern Sydney
NSW Health has launched its fourth and latest menopause health hub in southwestern Sydney.
Based on a media release, the new South Western Sydney Local Health District Specialist Menopause Service offers medical, allied health and nursing expertise to individuals dealing with complex or severe menopause symptoms via telehealth consultation.
The hub serves as a referral site for women in the Nepean Blue Mountains, Western NSW and Murrumbidgee Local Health Districts. It is one of the four menopause-specific health hubs in New South Wales.
First digital mental health platform to pass WA's AI framework
GreyMind AI claims to be the first to offer a digital mental health platform to be assessed under and pass the Western Australia government's AI assurance framework.
Its Reeboot AI platform provides structured early intervention and 24/7 preventative mental health support enabled by AI. It is offered in two formats: personal and corporate/workforce.
GreyMind AI's platform has reportedly received a low-risk assessment in privacy, clinical governance, data security, and ethical oversight categories of the WA Government AI Assurance Framework.
Besides WA's AI framework, Reeboot is also said to comply with the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation and the United States' Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act standards and Australian privacy laws. The digital platform is hosted on Australian servers using end-to-end encryption.
