Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital

'Trypanophobia' or the phobia of needles affects one in ten Australians, with approximately 20% of people experiencing some sort of fear or anxiety in receiving a needle. 💉😨

Dr Grace who is a joint Research Fellow at the RBWH and Queensland University of Technology (QUT), as well as a Nurse Practitioner at the RBWH ED, says that her ED experience informed her research on how virtual reality can help adults with a needle phobia.

"I cared for an adult patient with severe needle phobia who urgently required suturing, but his anxiety made the procedure extremely difficult. It highlighted that, although needle anxiety is common and can be profoundly distressing, clinicians have limited practical options to support adults in the moment," she said.

"Virtual reality offered a potentially simple way to provide immersive distraction and give patients a greater sense of control during a stressful procedure.

"Both patients and staff reported positive experiences, with virtual reality appearing to help patients feel calmer and better supported during a stressful procedure."

Dr Grace is just one of the many incredible speakers that will be presenting at the Herston Health Symposium next week from the 31st of August to the 2nd of September! This event is open to all, including consumers and patients, and is free to attend. Find out more and register your attendance via the link below.

metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/events/herston-healthcare-symposium ... See MoreSee Less

Are you looking to kickstart your plumbing career whilst also contributing to the safety and care of patients at Queensland's largest hospital? 👨‍🔧🪠

Trade Coordinator in Plumbing Andy started his apprenticeship at the RBWH in 2004 and is now looking to welcome a new era of plumbing to the RBWH.

"An apprenticeship here will involve a lot of maintenance work, as well as some new work jobs and preventative maintenance, ensuring the upkeep across the hospital," Andy said.

"You'll come out of it with a Certificate III in plumbing and draining, it's competency-based learning over the course of three and a half to four years.

"Working at Metro North, you gain a specialised skillset of working in a hospital, with a good team and you feel like you're doing your part for patients."

The Building and Engineering Maintenance team at the RBWH are looking for their next Apprentice Plumber. If this sounds like you or someone you know, click the link below to apply today! #WorkforusWednesday

apply-springboard.health.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-RBH690200 ... See MoreSee Less

Did you know that not every stroke looks the same? Whilst you may think you know what a stroke looks like, it can present differently in different people.

Claire who is a Senior Staff Specialist (Stroke) at the RBWH says that whilst there are common symptoms that are well recognised as a stroke, patient demographics like age or gender may play a part in a diagnosis.

"The most common and recognisable symptoms of a stroke is that weakness on one side, slurring your words or having trouble speaking, words coming out as nonsense words and facial droop is also probably a common and recognisable one," Claire said.

"To a certain degree, symptoms in younger people can present a little bit differently, so when we're talking someone under the age of 40, doctors aren't always expecting to see a stroke. However, younger people may also compensate better for the symptoms, such as milder weakness whereas in the older population it is clearer."

Because of the difference in presentation, Claire and her colleagues are skilled at detecting strokes in any age group. ... See MoreSee Less

"We moved to Brisbane six months ago from the Gold Coast. I am a drug and alcohol nurse and Jasper is a cardiology doctor here at the RBWH but we first met each other working at a hospital in Sydney. I am European so our baby Violette is spelt with the double 't', it's a French-English name. We are going home today and looking forward to going on strolls around our neighbourhood with Violette in the pram. The midwives on this ward have been amazing and we're so excited to be parents."

💭 Monday Mantra, Mum Pauline with Dad Jasper and baby Violette ... See MoreSee Less

RBWH Midwives Esther and Jamie both had slightly unconventional routes to midwifery.

Whilst Jamie discovered midwifery for the first time through a Facebook ad in the middle of studying criminal justice, Esther was working in HR, before having children of her own made her want to pursue midwifery.

Both women couldn't be happier with their career change, and their day-to-day supporting women.

"I am so passionate about women's health and the sisterhood of working with my colleagues, alongside midwifery I also do childcare education classes here, and that really feeds something in me," Jamie said.

"It's not all about babies being born, that's just one day in their life, but so many people remember the people who cared for them along the way, especially if they are here for a while. Being able to build that rapport with our patients regardless of what is going on in their life, it's so satisfying," Esther added.

You can join the 'sisterhood' at RBWH Ward 6B via the link below! 💞

apply-springboard.health.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-RBH689712 ... See MoreSee Less