Friday | Poster Blitz Session 1
| Friday, October 24, 2025 |
| 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM |
Speaker
Dr Sarah Saunders
Katherine Hospital
(TV 2) Supporting Survivors: A Remote Australian ED’s Grassroots Response to Family Violence
10:05 AM - 10:15 AMAbstract Overview
This poster presents the establishment and ongoing work of a Domestic and Family Violence (DV/FV) Working Group at Katherine Hospital, a small rural hospital in the Northern Territory. Formed in late 2024, the group emerged from the collective frustration of frontline professionals—doctors, nurses, and social workers—who were repeatedly witnessing high numbers of DV/FV-related presentations to the Emergency Department, with limited support structures in place.
The multidisciplinary group has since collaborated with local and national charities to provide practical, emotional, and legal support for survivors. Key initiatives include lobbying for a culturally safe, trauma-informed space within the ED, implementing staff training in trauma-informed care, and conducting ongoing research to gather data that can guide future funding and service development.
This poster highlights what is possible when a small, committed team acts with courage and creativity. It is a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and advocacy in rural healthcare—and how meaningful change can begin from the inside out.
The multidisciplinary group has since collaborated with local and national charities to provide practical, emotional, and legal support for survivors. Key initiatives include lobbying for a culturally safe, trauma-informed space within the ED, implementing staff training in trauma-informed care, and conducting ongoing research to gather data that can guide future funding and service development.
This poster highlights what is possible when a small, committed team acts with courage and creativity. It is a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and advocacy in rural healthcare—and how meaningful change can begin from the inside out.
Biography
Dr Sarah Jayne Saunders is an ACRRM Registrar currently working in Katherine, Northern Territory, where she applies her advanced skills in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. She earned her medical degree and a Bachelor of Arts in Medical Humanities in the UK, and has since worked across four continents, often with remote, underrepresented, and marginalised communities. With clinical training in two countries and a global perspective shaped by cross-cultural experience, Sarah brings both breadth and depth to her work in women’s health. She has a particular interest in domestic violence prevention and trauma-informed care. Alongside her clinical practice, Sarah is an award-winning artist and writer whose published creative work explores healthcare through both clinician and patient perspectives—drawing on her own lived experience. She is passionate about the intersection of art and medicine, believing that storytelling fosters reflection, strengthens empathy, and benefits both clinicians and the patients they serve.
Ms Belinda Hoy
Medical Student
The University of Western Australia
(TV 1) A Clinical Audit of MTOP Outcomes in a Regional GP Clinic
10:05 AM - 10:15 AMAbstract Overview
Background:
Recent legislative changes in Western Australia have improved access to medical termination of pregnancy (MTOP) up to 63 days gestation. While MS-2 Step is reported to have high efficacy with minimal failure and complication rates, clinical experience suggests these may be higher than previously expected.
Objective:
To assess MTOP outcomes in a single regional GP clinic for a 12-month period.
Methods:
An audit of MTOP prescriptions issued between 01/01 -30/12/2024 was conducted using Best Practice software. Patient data including age, gestation, BMI, and reproductive history were analysed to identify outcome trends and potential influencing factors.
Results:
Of 101 prescriptions, 61 had follow-up data. There were 50 successful terminations and 11 failures, including 6 requiring D&C. Overall failure rates were 1.5 times higher than literature estimates, with D&C rates up to 2.45 times higher. Greater success rates were observed in patients aged 25–34 and those with BMI ≥30. A small subset with >4 prior terminations had a 100% failure rate.
Conclusion:
MTOP remains a vital medication for women, however this audit suggests it may have a higher than expected rate of failure and post-MTOP intervention in the clinical setting, requiring vigilant and robust follow-up practices for optimal patient outcomes.
Recent legislative changes in Western Australia have improved access to medical termination of pregnancy (MTOP) up to 63 days gestation. While MS-2 Step is reported to have high efficacy with minimal failure and complication rates, clinical experience suggests these may be higher than previously expected.
Objective:
To assess MTOP outcomes in a single regional GP clinic for a 12-month period.
Methods:
An audit of MTOP prescriptions issued between 01/01 -30/12/2024 was conducted using Best Practice software. Patient data including age, gestation, BMI, and reproductive history were analysed to identify outcome trends and potential influencing factors.
Results:
Of 101 prescriptions, 61 had follow-up data. There were 50 successful terminations and 11 failures, including 6 requiring D&C. Overall failure rates were 1.5 times higher than literature estimates, with D&C rates up to 2.45 times higher. Greater success rates were observed in patients aged 25–34 and those with BMI ≥30. A small subset with >4 prior terminations had a 100% failure rate.
Conclusion:
MTOP remains a vital medication for women, however this audit suggests it may have a higher than expected rate of failure and post-MTOP intervention in the clinical setting, requiring vigilant and robust follow-up practices for optimal patient outcomes.
Biography
Belinda Hoy is a final year medical student at the University of Western Australia with a strong interest in regional and rural medicine. She has spent her final two clinical years with the Rural Clinical School, completing her penultimate year in Collie and currently undertaking her final year in Bunbury. Belinda has embraced the lifestyle, support, and sense of community in Bunbury and hopes to remain there for her internship next year. She is passionate about improving health outcomes, accessibility, and health literacy for regional and rural populations, with particular interests in women’s and children’s health.
