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Over half the adult population in many Western countries consume nutraceuticals because of their purported therapeutic benefits, accessibility and convenience. Several studies have demonstrated that they may also serve as a useful adjunct to pharmaceuticals to better manage chronic conditions or offset negative side effects. Individuals are advised to consult their physician before using nutraceuticals, but this advice is often overlooked. Thus, the community pharmacist plays an increasingly important role in assisting consumers with selecting a nutraceutical that is safe and for which there is evidence of therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, the aim of this review is to summarise the clinical evidence, safety and purported mechanisms of action for selected nutraceuticals in the management of chronic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and inflammatory-based diseases. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Preparing students for communication in clinical healthcare settings can be challenging, particularly given it may be the first time they have considered how and why they communicate. The challenge is to find an effective process for the development of clinical communication skills in a highly content-driven curriculum. The objective of this study was to empower first-year midwifery students to reflect on their experiences of communication to inform and expand their clinical communication by drawing on two distinct disciplines - midwifery and linguistics. This paper reports on the findings of a study that examined the implementation of innovative, preparatory workshops for first-year midwifery students. Data from quantitative and qualitative surveys were collected pre- and post-workshop, and post-clinical placement, and analysed using linguistic mapping and thematic analysis. Perceptible shifts in self-evaluation of competence were noted post the workshop and clinical placement. Students developed and used metalanguage appropriately to describe and evaluate communication while demonstrating increased awareness of the complexity of professional communication. They were able to find a balance between the vital technical information, and the interpersonal aspects of communication. This impacted positively on their perception of women as partners. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Objective. To determine the effectiveness of an intensive 4-week nutrition course in increasing the knowledge of undergraduate pharmacy students Assessment. A self-administered, validated questionnaire on dietary recommendations, sources of nutrients, choosing everyday foods, and diet-disease relationship was administered prior to and after completion of the course. Students' scores in all 4 areas improved significantly; however, their knowledge of the national dietary recommendations, sources of nutrients, and everyday foods high in nutrients was below that of members of the community Conclusions. Nutritional education courses can increase the nutrition knowledge of undergraduate pharmacy students. The need for pharmacists to advise patients regarding nutritional supplements continues to increase the need for incorporating nutrition courses within curriculum Design. A Nutrition and Therapeutics elective course was developed that covered the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating, as well as nutrition labeling, food composition, functional foods, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, nutrition and cancer, osteoporosis, nutrient-drug interactions, nutritional supplements, weight management, and infant feeding. The course was taught using lectures, student-focused tutorials featuring evidence-based practice, problem-based learning exercises, case-based scenarios, media examples, video clips from the lay press, and articles from the professional/scientific literature Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Aim: To determine, in Australian chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) outpatients, the prevalence of nutritional depletion, adequacy of dietary intake and relationship between nutritional depletion and clinical indicators. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 66 stable COPD outpatients (mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) of 60% predicted (95% confidence interval 54, 67) ). Nutritional status was assessed using body mass index (BMI) and fat-free mass index (FFMI). Four-day estimated food records were compared with the new Australian Nutrient Reference Values. Clinical indicators included respiratory function and quality of life (QoL) using the St George Respiratory Questionnaire. Results: Thirty per cent of subjects (n = 20) were nutritionally depleted (BMI

Aim: To determine patient satisfaction with nutrition interventions in outpatients receiving chemotherapy identified as at nutritional risk.----- Methods: An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted at an Australian public hospital in 61 oncology outpatients receiving chemotherapy. A simple malnutrition screening tool was used to identify nutritional risk. Patients identified as moderate risk were triaged to receive nutrition handouts on increasing energy and protein intake. Those at high risk received nutrition counselling and support by a dietitian. Patient satisfaction was assessed using a modification of a valid and reliable satisfaction with nutrition services questionnaire.----- Results: Sixty-one patients entered the study and one-third (20/61) were at nutritional risk. Seven patients were at high risk, and received dietetic review while 13 patients were at moderate risk and received nutrition handouts. Patients identified as at nutritional risk (n = 20) were approached to complete the satisfaction with nutrition services questionnaire. Eighteen patients completed the questionnaire (n = 7: dietetic review; and n = 11: nutrition handout). Nutrition information/advice was rated as helpful (n = 15), met patient expectations (n = 16) and overall patient satisfaction was rated highly. Patients who had received a dietitian review recorded a clinically but not statistically higher overall satisfaction with nutrition services than those patients receiving the nutrition handout.----- Conclusion: The high patient satisfaction helps support nutrition intervention at the chemotherapy unit. A prospective trial is required to determine the benefits of this triage and nutrition intervention on nutrition-related outcomes.