Dr Leila Shafiee Hanjani is a Research Fellow with the Ageing and Geriatric Medicine unit at the Centre for Health Services Research, The University of Queensland. Leila completed her PhD with The University of Queensland in 2021 focussing on optimising medication prescribing in older people with dementia.
Leila’s research primarily focuses on improving and optimising medication use and safety in older people. Her other research interests include research related to medication management in frailty, and the use of telehealth. Leila’s current projects focus on medication optimisation for people with behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia in the hospital and antimicrobial stewardship in the residential aged care setting.
Journal Article: Sex-specific interventions to prevent and manage frailty
Reid, Natasha, Young, Adrienne, Hanjani, Leila Shafiee, Hubbard, Ruth E. and Gordon, Emily H. (2022). Sex-specific interventions to prevent and manage frailty. Maturitas, 164, 23-30. doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2022.05.012
Journal Article: Undertaking medication review by telehealth
Shafiee Hanjani, Leila, Bell, J. Simon and Freeman, Christopher (2020). Undertaking medication review by telehealth. Australian Journal of General Practice, 49 (12), 826-831. doi: 10.31128/ajgp-06-20-5461
Journal Article: Medication use and cognitive impairment among residents of aged care facilities
Shafiee Hanjani, Leila, Hubbard, Ruth E., Freeman, Christopher R., Gray, Leonard C., Scott, Ian A. and Peel, Nancye M. (2020). Medication use and cognitive impairment among residents of aged care facilities. Internal Medicine Journal, 51 (4) imj.14804, 520-532. doi: 10.1111/imj.14804
Journal Article: A scoping review of the use and impact of telehealth medication reviews
Hanjani, Leila Shafiee, Caffery, Liam J., Freeman, Christopher R., Peeters, Geeske and Peel, Nancye M. (2019). A scoping review of the use and impact of telehealth medication reviews. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 16 (8), 1140-1153. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2019.12.014
Journal Article: Using telehealth to enable collaboration of pharmacists and geriatricians in residential medication management reviews
Hanjani, Leila Shafiee, Peel, Nancye M., Freeman, Christopher R. and Gray, Leonard C. (2019). Using telehealth to enable collaboration of pharmacists and geriatricians in residential medication management reviews. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy, 41 (5), 1256-1261. doi: 10.1007/s11096-019-00890-8
Journal Article: Interventions to optimise prescribing in older people with dementia: a systematic review
Shafiee Hanjani, Leila, Long, Duncan, Peel, Nancye M., Peeters, Geeske, Freeman, Christopher R. and Hubbard, Ruth E. (2019). Interventions to optimise prescribing in older people with dementia: a systematic review. Drugs & Aging, 36 (3), 247-267. doi: 10.1007/s40266-018-0620-9
(2023–2025) Metro South Health Research Support Scheme Project Grant
(2023–2024) Metro South Hospital and Health Service
(2023–2024) Metro South Hospital and Health Service
Pharmacological management of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia in hospital
Almost all people living with dementia will develop at least one behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), such as agitation, aggression and wandering, at some point. First line treatment of BPSD should include non-pharmacological strategies, such as multidisciplinary, individualised, psychosocial approaches. Yet, people living with dementia are commonly prescribed psychotropic medications for the treatment of BPSD despite their associated risks, including falls, stroke and death.
BPSD can be precipitated by unfamiliar and highly stimulating environments such as hospitals, introducing barriers to the patient’s diagnosis and/or care. However, there is limited guidance regarding best practices for the pharmacological management of BPSD in hospital setting, particularly for severe symptoms.
This PhD project will review the clinical practice guidelines for pharmacotherapy in severe BPSD and will explore prescribing practices and behaviours for BPSD in inpatient setting. It is anticipated that the PhD candidate will have the opportunity to develop skills in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and will be supported by experts in quality use of medicines and ageing research.
Sex-specific interventions to prevent and manage frailty
Reid, Natasha, Young, Adrienne, Hanjani, Leila Shafiee, Hubbard, Ruth E. and Gordon, Emily H. (2022). Sex-specific interventions to prevent and manage frailty. Maturitas, 164, 23-30. doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2022.05.012
Undertaking medication review by telehealth
Shafiee Hanjani, Leila, Bell, J. Simon and Freeman, Christopher (2020). Undertaking medication review by telehealth. Australian Journal of General Practice, 49 (12), 826-831. doi: 10.31128/ajgp-06-20-5461
Medication use and cognitive impairment among residents of aged care facilities
Shafiee Hanjani, Leila, Hubbard, Ruth E., Freeman, Christopher R., Gray, Leonard C., Scott, Ian A. and Peel, Nancye M. (2020). Medication use and cognitive impairment among residents of aged care facilities. Internal Medicine Journal, 51 (4) imj.14804, 520-532. doi: 10.1111/imj.14804
A scoping review of the use and impact of telehealth medication reviews
Hanjani, Leila Shafiee, Caffery, Liam J., Freeman, Christopher R., Peeters, Geeske and Peel, Nancye M. (2019). A scoping review of the use and impact of telehealth medication reviews. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 16 (8), 1140-1153. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2019.12.014
Hanjani, Leila Shafiee, Peel, Nancye M., Freeman, Christopher R. and Gray, Leonard C. (2019). Using telehealth to enable collaboration of pharmacists and geriatricians in residential medication management reviews. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy, 41 (5), 1256-1261. doi: 10.1007/s11096-019-00890-8
Interventions to optimise prescribing in older people with dementia: a systematic review
Shafiee Hanjani, Leila, Long, Duncan, Peel, Nancye M., Peeters, Geeske, Freeman, Christopher R. and Hubbard, Ruth E. (2019). Interventions to optimise prescribing in older people with dementia: a systematic review. Drugs & Aging, 36 (3), 247-267. doi: 10.1007/s40266-018-0620-9
Ailabouni, Nagham J., Weir, Kristie Rebecca, Brandt, Nicole, Hanjani, Leila Shafiee, Green, Ariel, Thompson, Wade, Freeman, Christopher R., Mangin, Dee, Bohill, Ruth, Furst, Chloe and Reeve, Emily (2024). Partnering with a stakeholder steering group to co‐design the PRIME deprescribing conversation tool: reflections and recommendations. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, 134 (1), 121-125. doi: 10.1111/bcpt.13938
Shafiee Hanjani, Leila, Fox, Sarah, Hubbard, Ruth E., Gordon, Emily, Reid, Natasha, Hilmer, Sarah N., Saunders, Rosemary, Gnjidic, Danijela and Young, Adrienne (2023). Frailty knowledge, training and barriers to frailty management: a national cross‐sectional survey of health professionals in Australia. Australasian Journal on Ageing. doi: 10.1111/ajag.13232
Navigating the machine learning pipeline: a scoping review of inpatient delirium prediction models
Strating, Tom, Shafiee Hanjani, Leila, Tornvall, Ida, Hubbard, Ruth and Scott, Ian A. (2023). Navigating the machine learning pipeline: a scoping review of inpatient delirium prediction models. BMJ Health & Care Informatics, 30 (1) e100767, e100767. doi: 10.1136/bmjhci-2023-100767
Hanjani, Leila Shafiee, Langford, Aili, Hilmer, Sarah and O'Donnell, Lisa Kouladjian (2023). The effectiveness of computerised clinical decision support systems on deprescribing inappropriate medications in older people: A systematic review protocol. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 19 (7), 13. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2023.04.038
Authors' reply to De Martinis and colleagues
Reid, Natasha, Young, Adrienne, Hanjani, Leila Shafiee, Hubbard, Ruth E. and Gordon, Emily H. (2023). Authors' reply to De Martinis and colleagues. Maturitas, 169, 54-54. doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2022.12.002
Frailty and solid-organ transplant candidates: a scoping review
Kao, Jonathan, Reid, Natasha, Hubbard, Ruth E., Homes, Ryan, Hanjani, Leila Shafiee, Pearson, Ella, Logan, Benignus, King, Shannon, Fox, Sarah and Gordon, Emily H (2022). Frailty and solid-organ transplant candidates: a scoping review. BMC Geriatrics, 22 (1) 864, 864. doi: 10.1186/s12877-022-03485-7
Sex-specific interventions to prevent and manage frailty
Reid, Natasha, Young, Adrienne, Hanjani, Leila Shafiee, Hubbard, Ruth E. and Gordon, Emily H. (2022). Sex-specific interventions to prevent and manage frailty. Maturitas, 164, 23-30. doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2022.05.012
A systematic review of frailty education programs for health care professionals
Warren, Nicola, Gordon, Emily, Pearson, Ella, Siskind, Dan, Hilmer, Sarah N., Etherton‐Beer, Christopher, Shafiee Hanjani, Leila, Young, Adrienne M., Reid, Natasha and Hubbard, Ruth E. (2022). A systematic review of frailty education programs for health care professionals. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 41 (4), e310-e319. doi: 10.1111/ajag.13096
Correction to: Scoping Review of Studies Evaluating Frailty and Its Association with Medication Harm
Lam, Jonathan Yong Jie, Barras, Michael, Scott, Ian A., Long, Duncan, Shafiee Hanjani, Leila and Falconer, Nazanin (2022). Correction to: Scoping Review of Studies Evaluating Frailty and Its Association with Medication Harm. Drugs & Aging, 39 (8), 671-672. doi: 10.1007/s40266-022-00956-9
Scoping review of studies evaluating frailty and its association with medication harm
Lam, Jonathan Yong Jie, Barras, Michael, Scott, Ian A., Long, Duncan, Shafiee Hanjani, Leila and Falconer, Nazanin (2022). Scoping review of studies evaluating frailty and its association with medication harm. Drugs and Aging, 39 (5), 333-353. doi: 10.1007/s40266-022-00940-3
Falconer, Nazanin, Paterson, David L., Peel, Nancye, Welch, Alyssa, Freeman, Christopher, Burkett, Ellen, Hubbard, Ruth, Comans, Tracy, Hanjani, Leila Shafiee, Pascoe, Elaine, Hawley, Carmel and Gray, Leonard (2022). A multimodal intervention to optimise antimicrobial use in residential aged care facilities (ENGAGEMENT): protocol for a stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial. Trials, 23 (1) 427. doi: 10.1186/s13063-022-06323-8
Mellor, Rebecca, Khoo, Andrew, Saunders-Dow, Elise, Raguz, Ella, Taing, Meng-Wong, Hanjani, Leila Shafiee, Freeman, Chris and Crawford, Darrell (2022). Polypharmacy in Australian veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder upon admission to a mental health facility: A retrospective chart review. Drugs - Real World Outcomes, 9 (3), 347-357. doi: 10.1007/s40801-022-00298-3
Abidin, Ahmad Zainal, Snoswell, Centaine L., Shafiee Hanjani, Leila, Callaghan, Gavin and Edmonds, Michelle (2021). Infliximab switching from reference product to biosimilar: a review of evidence regarding the clinical efficacy, safety profile and immunogenicity. Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research, 51 (5), 358-373. doi: 10.1002/jppr.1754
Cervical cancer screening among immigrant women residing in Australia: a systematic review
Alam, Zufishan, Shafiee Hanjani, Leila, Dean, Judith and Janda, Monika (2021). Cervical cancer screening among immigrant women residing in Australia: a systematic review. Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health, 33 (8) ARTN 10105395211006600, 10105395211006600-827. doi: 10.1177/10105395211006600
Undertaking medication review by telehealth
Shafiee Hanjani, Leila, Bell, J. Simon and Freeman, Christopher (2020). Undertaking medication review by telehealth. Australian Journal of General Practice, 49 (12), 826-831. doi: 10.31128/ajgp-06-20-5461
Drug related problems in older adults living with dementia
Ruangritchankul, Sirasa, Peel, Nancye M., Hanjani, Leila Shafiee and Gray, Leonard C. (2020). Drug related problems in older adults living with dementia. PLoS One, 15 (7) e0236830, e0236830. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236830
Ruangritchankul, Sirasa, Peel, Nancye M., Shafiee Hanjani, Leila and Gray, Leonard C. (2020). The changes in medication prescribing among the older people with cognitive impairment in the acute care setting. Clinical Interventions in Aging, Volume 15, 865-876. doi: 10.2147/cia.s252432
Medication use and cognitive impairment among residents of aged care facilities
Shafiee Hanjani, Leila, Hubbard, Ruth E., Freeman, Christopher R., Gray, Leonard C., Scott, Ian A. and Peel, Nancye M. (2020). Medication use and cognitive impairment among residents of aged care facilities. Internal Medicine Journal, 51 (4) imj.14804, 520-532. doi: 10.1111/imj.14804
A scoping review of the use and impact of telehealth medication reviews
Hanjani, Leila Shafiee, Caffery, Liam J., Freeman, Christopher R., Peeters, Geeske and Peel, Nancye M. (2019). A scoping review of the use and impact of telehealth medication reviews. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 16 (8), 1140-1153. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2019.12.014
Hanjani, Leila Shafiee, Peel, Nancye M., Freeman, Christopher R. and Gray, Leonard C. (2019). Using telehealth to enable collaboration of pharmacists and geriatricians in residential medication management reviews. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy, 41 (5), 1256-1261. doi: 10.1007/s11096-019-00890-8
Interventions to optimise prescribing in older people with dementia: a systematic review
Shafiee Hanjani, Leila, Long, Duncan, Peel, Nancye M., Peeters, Geeske, Freeman, Christopher R. and Hubbard, Ruth E. (2019). Interventions to optimise prescribing in older people with dementia: a systematic review. Drugs & Aging, 36 (3), 247-267. doi: 10.1007/s40266-018-0620-9
Shafiee Hanjani, Leila, Apostolidis, Anastasia, Winckel, Karl and Burrows, Judith A. (2016). An evaluation of the utilisation of the Medication Action Plan form in a tertiary hospital: what is the impact of the pharmacist?. Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research, 47 (4), 257-262. doi: 10.1002/jppr.1237
Phytochemical characterization and cytotoxic activity of Iranecio elbursensis Bioss
Shafiee Hanjani, L, Yazdizadeh Shotorbani, P, Asgari, T, Amin, G and Azizi, E (2009). Phytochemical characterization and cytotoxic activity of Iranecio elbursensis Bioss. Planta Medica, 75 (09). doi: 10.1055/s-0029-1234626
Dunstan, O., Shafiee Hanjani, L., Young, A., Ellender, C., Hoang, T. and Hubbard, R. (2023). Measurement of environmental factors affecting sleep within rehabilitation wards, sub-acute care wards, and aged care facilities: a scoping review. Sleep DownUnder 2023, Adelaide, SA Australia, 8-11 November 2023. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/sleepadvances/zpad035.171
Shafiee Hanjani, Leila, Weir, Kristie, Reeve, Emily, Brandt, Nicole, Tao, Eric and Ailabouni, Nagham J. (2023). Co-designing The Prime Tool To Empower People Living With Dementia And Their Carers To Initiate Deprescribing Conversations. FIP World Congress, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 24 - 28 September 2023.
Hanjani, Leila Shafiee, Langford, Aili, Hilmer, Sarah and O'Donnell, Lisa Kouladjian (2023). THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COMPUTERISED CLINICAL DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS ON DEPRESCRIBING INAPPROPRIATE MEDICATIONS IN OLDER PEOPLE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW PROTOCOL. NEW YORK: ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC.
A study on telehealth pharmacist-led residential medication management reviews
Shafiee Hanjani, Leila, Peel, Nancye M., Freeman, Christopher R., Caffery, Liam and Gray, Len (2018). A study on telehealth pharmacist-led residential medication management reviews. 2018 International Conference on Successes and Failures, Darwin NT Australia, 22- 24 October 2018.
Interventions to optimise prescribing in older people with dementia: a systematic review
Shafiee Hanjani, Leila, Long, Duncan, Peel, Nancye M., Peeters, Geeske, Freeman, Christopher R. and Hubbard, Ruth E. (2018). Interventions to optimise prescribing in older people with dementia: a systematic review. 2018 APSA Annual Conference, Adelaide, SA Australia, 2- 5 December 2018.
Hanjani, L. S., Peel, N., Freeman, C., Caffery, L., Chatfield, M., Hubbard, R. and Gray, L. (2018). Telehealth residential care medication reviews to enable collaboration of pharmacists and geriatricians. The Australian and New Zealand Society for Geriatric Medicine Annual Scientific Meeting 2018, Cutting Edge: Optimising the Journey for Older Surgical Patients, Sydney, Australia, 27-29 June 2018. Richmond, VIC Australia: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia.
A study on usual Residential Medication Management Review (RMMR) practice
Shafiee Hanjani, Leila, Freeman, Christopher R., Peel, Nancye M., Caffery, Liam J. and Gray, Len C. (2017). A study on usual Residential Medication Management Review (RMMR) practice. APSA-ASCEPT Joint Scientific Meeting, Brisbane, Qld Australia, 5- 8 December 2017.
Telehealth medication reviews: what is the evidence?
Shafiee Hanjani, Leila, Caffery, Liam, Freeman, Christopher R. and Peel, Nancye M. (2017). Telehealth medication reviews: what is the evidence?. Successes and Failures in Telehealth 2017, Brisbane, Qld, Australia, 30-31 October 2017.
Optimising prescribing in older people with dementia
Shafiee Hanjani, Leila (2021). Optimising prescribing in older people with dementia. PhD Thesis, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/c3ebbc7
Shafiee Hanjani, Leila (2014). An evaluation of pharmacists' interventions and assessment of the utilisation of Medication Action Plan (MAP) form by pharmacists in a government funded tertiary hospital. Master's Thesis, School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland.
(2023–2025) Metro South Health Research Support Scheme Project Grant
(2023–2024) Metro South Hospital and Health Service
(2023–2024) Metro South Hospital and Health Service
Note for students: The possible research projects listed on this page may not be comprehensive or up to date. Always feel free to contact the staff for more information, and also with your own research ideas.
Pharmacological management of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia in hospital
Almost all people living with dementia will develop at least one behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), such as agitation, aggression and wandering, at some point. First line treatment of BPSD should include non-pharmacological strategies, such as multidisciplinary, individualised, psychosocial approaches. Yet, people living with dementia are commonly prescribed psychotropic medications for the treatment of BPSD despite their associated risks, including falls, stroke and death.
BPSD can be precipitated by unfamiliar and highly stimulating environments such as hospitals, introducing barriers to the patient’s diagnosis and/or care. However, there is limited guidance regarding best practices for the pharmacological management of BPSD in hospital setting, particularly for severe symptoms.
This PhD project will review the clinical practice guidelines for pharmacotherapy in severe BPSD and will explore prescribing practices and behaviours for BPSD in inpatient setting. It is anticipated that the PhD candidate will have the opportunity to develop skills in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and will be supported by experts in quality use of medicines and ageing research.