News & Media News DEA doctors innovating and protecting health during the COVID 19 pandemic

DEA doctors innovating and protecting health during the COVID 19 pandemic

DEA doctors across the nation from a wide range of specialities are experiencing fundamental changes and challenges in their work practices and expectations. GPs are screening and consulting patients in their clinic car parks; interns are working in COVID clinics; “front line” emergency department, intensive care and anaesthetic doctors are planning, training and caring for patients under situations that were unimaginable 4-6 weeks ago. 

Amongst such fast changing and uncertain times it is wonderful to be able to focus on some of the positive innovations and activities our members have been involved in. There are so many but to highlight a few; 

Western Health intensive care specialist and convenor of DEA’s Sustainable Healthcare group Associate Professor Forbes McGain has been working with Melbourne University engineers to develop a protective hood to assist in the caring of COVID-19 patients. He is confident the product will lead to safer and better patient care (and of course it is reusable under the appropriate washing conditions!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McQGJpEIqGk&feature=youtu.be

Dr Forbes McGain discusses the development of a protective hood.

DEA founding member Associate Professor Grant Blashki in this role as Lead Clinical Advisor for Beyond Blue has been advising on the mental health implications of living and working during a pandemic.https://7news.com.au/the-daily-edition/coronavirus-update-how-changing-your-mindset-can-help-if-youre-struggling-with-mental-health-c-901980 

Past DEA Chair and present DEA Scientific Advisor Committee member Professor Michael Kidd is working in Canberra as the recently appointed Principal Medical Advisor to the Federal Department of Health and Professor of Primary Care Reform at The Australian National University
https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-greg-hunt-mp/media/professor-michael-kidd-appointed-to-advise-on-primary-health-reforms and writes in a recently published article of GPs central response to COVID-19 https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/coronavirus/australias-primary-care-covid19-response

To all our members and friends take care and we look forward to bringing you more news of DEA member activities over the coming weeks. 
Dr Eugenie Kayak. DEA Co-chair. FANZCA, MBBS, MSc.