Towards Evidence-based Adoption And Scale-up Of Cost-saving Primary Health Care Innovations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,768.00
Summary
What innovations like service integration, care coordination and information technology (e.g. text message reminders, remote video consultations, remote monitoring) have in common is that they alter the patient-provider interface, more reliably and consistently than improving clinical outcomes. So, to determine their true costs and benefits, how to select among them and how to scale them up, this research program will assess them based on measures of how they alter patient-provider transactions.
Although medical tests and procedures can save lives, sometimes too much medical intervention can be harmful. In low back pain, for example, high numbers of X-ray, CT and MRI scans are provided unnecessarily. There is good evidence that imaging scans for low back pain can cause more harm than good. At the same time, people can miss out on treatments that we know to be effective. This fellowship will enable me to discover ways to ensure people receive the right care for low back pain.
Primary Health Care And Self-management For Depression And Anxiety: A Vital Community-based Study For Future Service Delivery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$330,779.00
Summary
Depression and anxiety are widespread. As treatment is typically managed by GPs, effective primary care for these disorders is a national priority. The Australia-wide coverage of these services means that the research behind their delivery must be based on community-wide studies of primary care outcomes and determinants. There is an acute lack of such research. Dr Olesen proposes a comprehensive and innovative set of epidemiological investigations to address this gap.
Multi-faceted E-health Interventions For Primary Health Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$359,564.00
Summary
There are large evidence practice gaps in primary health care leading to sub-optimal health outcomes. To address these gaps, I have devised HealthTracker, an e-health system for chronic disease management. I will evaluate the effectiveness of HealthTracker and develop three new system features: (1) a consumer focussed web portal, (2) three new chronic care modules for respiratory health, osteoporosis and fracture prevention, low back pain, and (3) implementation of the system in rural India.
Translating Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Guidelines Into General Practice: A Behavioural Intervention Within A Systems Approach To Improve Evidence-based Practice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
This project will develop, evaluate and implement a combined GP and patient intervention to improve cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention, by increasing: 1) use of CVD risk calculators; 2) guidelines-based prescribing of medication to high risk and not low risk patients; and 3) patient understanding of CVD risk/management options and involvement in decision making. This will improve care for millions of patients, reduce the cost of CVD, and develop new methods to improve other areas of health.