Ahoy colleagues!We are delighted to invite you aboard for the AuSPEN 2026 Conference: Voyage to Better Nutrition Care, setting sail at the Hotel Grand Chancellor, Launceston, Tasmania, from 5–7 November 2026.
Hot Off The Press - Updates from our latest E-Update September
Hot Off the Press: Updated Guidance for Author Use of AI in Medical Publication
Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping research and scientific publishing at an unprecedented pace. AI can be a helpful tool to improve efficiency and reduce the burden of some tasks. However, as use of AI in scientific publishing grows exponentially, so do concerns about such use. This paper offers guidance to authors for responsible use, highlighting what is permitted and not permitted, and what needs to be disclosed.
Hot Off the Press: Unique causes of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency: When to consider pancreatic enzyme supplementation: A narrative review
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a clinically significant disorder characterized by inadequate secretion or activity of pancreatic digestive enzymes, leading to maldigestion, malabsorption, and adverse nutritional and metabolic consequences. This narrative review summarizes the diagnosis and treatment of EPI along with a focused review of the pathophysiology, clinical consequences, diagnostic approaches, and treatment principles of EPI for a variety of conditions.
Hot Off the Press: Muscle Matters: A Proposed Algorithm to Guide Screening, Assessment and Management of Poor Muscle Health in Primary Care
Sarcopenia is a serious condition associated with many chronic conditions and increased healthcare costs, emphasising the need for early detection and intervention. However, in routine clinical practice, muscle health remains poorly recognised. This paper proposes a clinical muscle health monitoring and management algorithm for use by HCPs to support early detection and timely management.
Hot Off the Press: Best Practice Guideline for the Nurse’s Role in Caring for People with, or at risk of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD)
The AHA developed this guideline through adaptation of existing Australian and international consensus-based guidelines and position statements, across disciplines, and contextualised for the AHA membership who are employed in various healthcare settings.
AuSPEN Member Spotlight – Celebrating Dale Palmer
Can you tell us about yourself, your profession and how you were involved with AuSPEN?
I’m a clinical dietitian with a special interest in enteral nutrition support and gastrostomy care, as well as a *very* novice researcher. I recently relocated from Sydney to London and am currently working at King’s College Hospital. I was involved with the AuSPEN MCC for the past 3-4 years, first hearing about the opportunity through my colleagues and thought it would be a great way to channel a bit of my creative side.
We’re sad to see you go! What were the projects you were most proud to be involved in with the AuSPEN Marketing and Communications Committee?
Leaving the MCC was a tough decision, as it has been such a rewarding learning and networking opportunity. The project I’m most proud of is establishing the quarterly e-update (hi everyone, and thank you for reading!). It was incredibly rewarding to showcase the inspiring work of AuSPEN’s committees, members, and the many people working across the clinical nutrition space.
Can you tell us about your most recent research?
As I mentioned, I am still very much a novice, however I’ve always been interested in complementing my clinical work with research, to have a broader impact on patient care. Over the past couple of years, I’ve been juggling two very different research projects as I’ve dipped my toes into the research world.
The first project began as a small quality improvement initiative and, and with thanks to a very supportive and encouraging mentor Suzie Ferrie, evolved into a larger descriptive cohort study exploring the nutritional management, and barriers to nutrition among hospitalised neurosurgical patients. The findings highlighted the high prevalence of interruptions to nutrition in this patient group and taught me an enormous amount about study design, research methodology, and that perseverance is a must. It was recently published in JPEN.
Congratulations on your recent Guiness World Record as the fastest marathon runner dressed as a netballer! What are you looking forward to next in London?Thank you! Now that my arms have recovered after carrying the netball for 42km, I’m looking forward to the new and exciting challenges that working for the NHS will bring.
Thank you, Dale, for all your work and contribution to AuSPEN!