Information updates

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For the first time since ASCIA e-training courses for Schools and Children’s Education/Care (CEC) were introduced in 2010, reports have been developed based on mandatory feedback surveys in the Australasian versions of the courses. The surveys were completed by 43,945 course participants and the reports are available at https://www.allergy.org.au/ascia-reports#nacscec

Highlights from the Schools, CEC and Refresher course reports include:

• Relevant to current role - 81% to 86% indicated that the courses were entirely relevant to their current roles.
• Course content - 94% to 99% indicated there was nothing missing and 89% to 98% thought that the course did not need to be improved.

This work has been completed as part of the National Allergy Council Schools and Childcare project, and results will guide course updates.

To access the courses go to https://www.allergy.org.au/about-ascia/about-ascia-e-training

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For the first time since ASCIA e-training for health professionals was introduced in 2011, reports have been developed based on mandatory feedback surveys. These surveys were completed by 1,730 health professionals and the reports are available here

Highlights from the health professional course reports include:

• Learning needs met – More than 90% indicated that the full and refresher courses had entirely met their learning needs.
• Relevant to current practice - 71% indicated that the full course, and 83% indicated that the refresher course was entirely relevant to their current practice.
• Full course content - 96% indicated nothing was missing and 94% indicated that the course did not need to be improved.
• Refresher course content - 96% indicated nothing was missing and 95% indicated that the course did not need to be improved.

This work has been completed as part of the National Allergy Council Shared Care for Allergy project, and results will guide course updates.

To access the courses go to https://www.allergy.org.au/about-ascia/about-ascia-e-training

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To coincide with World Primary Immunodeficiency (PI) Week (22-28 April 2024) and the International Day of Immunology (29 April 2024) ASCIA has updated:

• ASCIA information for patients and carers about primary immunodeficiencies (also known as inborn errors of immunity)  
• ASCIA information for patients and carers about autoimmunity

Updated ASCIA SCIg Therapy - General Information includes subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg) products that are currently available in Australia and New Zealand and management guides for SCIg infusion site reactions, problems and other reactions.

Updates have been made as part of the ASCIA Immunodeficiency Strategy to make it easier to:

• Read and understand, by simplifying language and changing to FAQ formats.
• Contact patient/carer support organisations by including weblinks at the start of each FAQ.

The ASCIA team is in the process of updating all ASCIA website Information for patients and carers as part of the National Allergy Council Shared Care for Allergy project.

ASCIA patient/carer allergy information topic areas recently updated are:

• Allergy Treatments
• Food Allergy
• Insect and Tick Allergy
• Anaphylaxis and Allergy
• Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever) and Sinusitis
• Allergy and Immunology Testing

The updates have been made by the ASCIA team as part of the National Allergy Council Shared Care for Allergy project, to make it easier to:

• Read and understand, by simplifying language and changing to FAQ formats.
• Contact patient/carer support organisations by including weblinks at the start of each FAQ.

Other updates include:

• New ASCIA Quicklinks webpage with links to ASCIA information
• New ASCIA Position Paper - Diagnosis and investigation of mast cell activation disorders and syndrome for health professionals.

A new ASCIA Position Paper on the diagnosis and investigation of mast cell activation disorders and syndrome has been developed for health professionals.

Mast cell activation syndrome is a group of disorders with episodic symptoms due to mast cell mediator release. They involve multiple systems and can cause flushing, pruritus, wheeze and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Diagnosis is based on clinical and laboratory assessments, including testing for tryptase. Other laboratory tests are generally not used or available, due to their lack of sensitivity and specificity.

ASCIA Mastocytosis and other Mast Cell Disorders FAQ for patients and carers is also available.

In response to requests from ASCIA members, QR codes have been added to 15 landing pages on the ASCIA website to improve access and reduce the need for printing of ASCIA Information for patients and carers.

New ASCIA Quicklinks A4 documents include QR codes and are available at www.allergy.org.au/about-ascia/quick-links

ASCIA PC QR Code Quicklinks1.71 M

This project has been completed as part of the National Allergy Council Shared Care for Allergy project.

Each of the following webpages include a QR code directly below the instructions "Scan the QR codes below to view ASCIA information on a mobile phone:"

Allergy and anaphylaxis

Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and sinusitis

Allergy prevention

Allergy and immunology testing

Allergy treatments

Asthma and allergy

Autoimmunity

Drug allergy

Food allergy

Food - other adverse reactions

Immunisation

Immunodeficiencies

Insect allergy (bites and stings)

Other allergies

Skin 

The Allergy and Immunology Foundation of Australia (AIFA) 2024 grant round is now open and Expressions of Interest (EOIs) are invited from ASCIA members for AIFA research grants. EOIs are due by midnight on 14 May 2024 and the application form is on the AIFA website www.allergyimmunology.org.au/grants 

This year a total of $110,000 will be awarded, comprised of 8 grants that are listed below.

Allergy and Immunology Research
$40,000 AIFA Early Career and New Researcher Grants (4 x $10,000 available)
These grants encourage new research projects which do not yet have major funding. It is important that Early Career and New Researchers are supported to establish track records that will increase their chance of securing future research funding. These include early career scientist researchers, emerging clinician researchers (such as advanced allergy/immunology trainees), and other health professionals (such as dietitians, nurses, pharmacists).

Food Allergy Research Grants
$20,000 AIFA Prof Ann Kupa Food Allergy Grant
$15,000 AIFA DBV Technologies Food Allergy Grant

New AIFA Viatris Grant for Nurses
$20,000 AIFA Viatris Nurse Researcher of the Year
We are delighted to announce this new grant, which will be awarded to a late-stage nurse researcher to facilitate presentation of their completed, or soon to be completed, research at an appropriate international or national conference of their choosing.

Primary Immunodeficiency Research Grant
$15,000 AIFA CSL Behring HAE Clinical Research Grant

AIFA grants awarded in 2024 will be announced in September at the ASCIA 2024 Conference in Adelaide.

Thank you to new and long term supporters of AIFA research grants. Your generous support has contributed to the progress of clinical allergy and immunology research in Australia and New Zealand.

By 2026 AIFA aims to award a cumulative total of $1 million in research grants, selected by experts, for clinically important research into allergy and other immune diseases. Help us achieve this goal by donating at www.allergyimmunology.org.au/donate