​Paul Ross

Librarian & Information Specialist, ARIIA

​​Searching online draws us into a diverse web of possible access points to research and information. As stated in previous blogs, this can include using search engines which connect you to organisations, academic and government data. Yet just relying on a search engine alone, can mean you get lost in the haze of “information overload”. Breaking your searching down into different approaches, can enable you to manage the information you are looking for into certain groupings, while helping to prevent feelings of being overwhelmed. The term ‘grey literature’ is generally used to describe information that has not been subject to a formal publication process i.e. a publisher hasn’t undertaken peer-review upon it and published it.  Anything outside of this commercially published domain is known as a ‘grey’ area and is classed as ‘grey literature’. This collection of content can include and array of information, from videos to policy documents and toolkits to blogs, to name but a few.

​Searching for grey literature should be conducted using a triangulated, three-point approach.

• ​First, compile a search using a search engine, to develop a clear idea what you are looking for and how your subject is described in the literature. Then you can conduct a more focused search into organisations, that focus on your speciality. This can be done by limiting your search engine results to .ORG (Organisational) results and note the organisation names that come up for further searching.
• ​Secondly, you could use lists of organisations in your area of interest, such as those provided by ARIIA (Organisations / Resources), PalliAged and the Australian Government.
• ​Finally, the organisations contained within these lists and found in your own searches, can be searched by looking for either a resources or publication section/s. You could use their own site search box, if they have one, but not all search functions are equal, as some may not find what you are looking for.

​Pro-tip: If you want to double-check an organisation's site, then use Google Advanced in the “site or domain” section, just pop in the organisation's web address and the term/s you’re looking for, Google will then search the whole of the organisation's site to find the information, that their own internal search, may have missed.

​By using a triangulated approach to searching for grey literature from organisational sites, you can gain greater confidence that you have covered a broad selection of sources, beyond just an online search, using a search engine. It is also recommended to add any organisations you found into a bookmark folder, to save you time in the future and to build your own collection of knowledge, in your specialist field of interest. As grey literature exists all around us and is constantly in production, visit your library or academic specialist centres especially if it has a special collection in your field of interest.

​Pro-tip: connect with professionals in your field or enquiry and ask them what sources of information they use.

​In our final blog we will complete the overall picture of searching online, by looking into searching for information, using online databases.  To visit our previous blogs on the subject of searching online, visit our introduction and search sources blogs.

*The views and opinions expressed in Knowledge Blogs are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of ARIIA, Flinders University and/or the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.

​​Nadège Messier​

​​Grand-App AI Oceania​ 

​​​Nowadays, new technologies are being integrated into the aged care sector. These systems are becoming part of the 'Age-Tech' and offer numerous benefits for older people, caregivers and families in their day-to-day lives.

​New technologies provide real-time monitoring of vital signs, activity levels, and behavioural or environmental conditions, allowing caregivers and family members to respond promptly to emergencies such as falls, health crises, or accidents. These same remote care systems are now considered critical in improving an older person's safety whilst reassuring their caregivers and families.

​Prevention of risks within the home setting can now be calculated using a range of sensors and an Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithm. Families who live away from their older relatives or older people who prefer to age in place rather than moving to assisted living facilities or move closer to their family which would take them away from their preferred environment, especially benefit from remote sensor technologies.

Many monitoring technologies include features to support communication between older persons, carers, healthcare providers and even families. These functions can facilitate collaboration, coordination of care, and timely communication of important information.

​By using monitoring technologies, seniors can maintain a greater level of independence and be healthy for longer while still receiving support and assistance as needed and according to the changes in their fitness levels.

​As children, nieces, nephews, and siblings, we all want our loved ones, our older people, to age well and be happy. We can acknowledge that changes in health conditions are a natural part of aging. Continuous monitoring enables the early detection of health issues or behavioural changes, allows timely intervention and treatment and can improve general health outcomes and support wellbeing.

​Additionally, these systems collect valuable data, which can be used to create customised care plans tailored to each older person's needs. An individualised plan ensures that each person receives the right care and support, optimising their overall health and quality of life. The data collected by these monitoring technologies can provide valuable insights into the seniors' health trends and patterns over time. This information can also guide data-driven decision-making regarding their care, lifestyle modifications, and treatment plans.

​Financially automated monitoring systems can streamline caregiving tasks, saving the effort of carers, seniors and families, increasing efficiencies and saving time for everyone involved. More than anything, it allows carers to focus on providing quality care and spending meaningful time with their older clients and residents. In addition, by helping prevent emergencies and hospitalisations, monitoring technologies can reduce healthcare costs for individuals and their families. Although it can appear expensive to set up initially, these can still potentially represent long-term savings for the older person and the health system.
 
Overall, new monitoring technologies empower seniors to age in place safely and comfortably while providing invaluable support to caregivers and peace of mind to families.​

*The views and opinions expressed in Knowledge Blogs are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of ARIIA, Flinders University and/or the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.

​​Dr Raechel Damarell​

​​Senior Research Fellow, CareSearch Project, Flinders University​

​​General practitioners (GPs) play a vital role in providing care for most people with life-limiting illnesses in the years, months, and days leading up to their death. [1] This is especially true for GPs in rural and remote areas with limited access to specialist palliative care services. [2] In these settings, rural GPs are often responsible for the continuous care of older patients as they transition between home, residential aged care, and rural hospitals. [1] For individuals who wish to die at home, whether in their own residence or within an aged care facility, a GP can facilitate this by ensuring effective symptom control and educating carers on how to keep the person comfortable as the end-of-life approaches.

​A significant proportion of people die an expected death each year due to chronic conditions such as heart disease, dementia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [3] – conditions that frequently do not meet the criteria for specialist palliative care services. The proportion is expected to rise as the population ages, with increasing numbers of Australians living with one or more life-limiting illnesses requiring long-term symptom management from their GP. [4]

​However, GPs face challenges in providing and coordinating palliative care. These include the daily time pressures of general practice, lack of confidence in the evidence base, and the fragmented nature of our health and social care systems, often complicating cross-sector and interprofessional communication. [5] Under the current model of general practice, providing palliative care requires proactive planning and assessments to identify changing needs, initiate advance care planning discussions, and support families and informal carers. [6]

​To assist GPs in their clinical decision-making and proactive care planning, CareSearch recently released its CareSearchgp app. Developed with GPs, this freely accessible, evidence-based resource supports key clinical processes across the end-of-life care trajectory, including advance care planning, case conferencing, and developing a terminal care management plan. The app provides clear guidance on symptom management, terminal prescribing, and post-death support for the bereaved. Interactive features allow GPs to curate their own library of links to useful resources or send individual information from within the app to specific patients or carers. For GPs supporting people to die at home, there is a Home Death Checklist—a tool for identifying potential issues that should be addressed ahead of time.

​With their broad scope of practice, rural GPs and nurse practitioners may find the app of particular interest and value. Early career GPs can also trust in the reliability of its evidence-based content as they build their clinical skills and confidence in end-of-life care. The CareSearch website has more information about the app and links to download from the Apple or Google Play Store. Additionally, GPs can find more guidance on MBS remuneration when delivering a planned palliative care pathway in the community and residential aged care settings by visiting CareSearch's Primary Health Care Hub.

*The views and opinions expressed in Knowledge Blogs are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of ARIIA, Flinders University and/or the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.