Multiple perspectives on sexuality and intimacy post-cancer, leading to the development and evaluation of supportive interventions. In 2006, over 106,000 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in Australia, impacting on the quality of life of patients and their partners. A significant proportion of couples report cessation of sexual and intimate contact post-cancer, resulting in considerable distress. To date, there has been no examination of this important health concern across a broad range of can ....Multiple perspectives on sexuality and intimacy post-cancer, leading to the development and evaluation of supportive interventions. In 2006, over 106,000 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in Australia, impacting on the quality of life of patients and their partners. A significant proportion of couples report cessation of sexual and intimate contact post-cancer, resulting in considerable distress. To date, there has been no examination of this important health concern across a broad range of cancer types, from the perspective of patients and their partners. Equally, support services rarely address sexuality issues post-cancer. This project will benefit people with cancer and their partners through examining pathways to distress, and developing programs to facilitate re-negotiation of sexuality and intimacy, post-cancer.Read moreRead less
The construction and experience of fertility in the context of cancer: patient, partner and health professional perspectives. This project will examine the nature and consequences of fertility concerns for men and women with cancer, and their partners, across a range of cancer types, as well as the knowledge and experience of health professionals. This will increase knowledge of this important health concern, and lead to the development of programs to reduce distress.
Young women's experiences of cigarette smoking: a qualitative examination of the intersection of gender, class, cultural and sexual identity. The effects of smoking unique to women, the slow decline in women's smoking rates and the lack of anti-smoking strategies that are sensitive to gender, social class, cultural, and sexual identity means that this project addresses a significant issue for young women smokers, the Australian government and the health and wellbeing of Australians.
Overcome Barriers to Optimal Diabetes Management: Randomized Controlled Trial of Education/Consultation Interventions to Improve Self-Management of Diabetes. In addition to improving self care and quality of life in people with diabetes, the cost effectiveness component of the trial will provide other valuable data. Considering that the costs associated with diabetes and other associated health complications (i.e diabetic retinopathy) are estimated to be more than AU$10 billion, our intervention ....Overcome Barriers to Optimal Diabetes Management: Randomized Controlled Trial of Education/Consultation Interventions to Improve Self-Management of Diabetes. In addition to improving self care and quality of life in people with diabetes, the cost effectiveness component of the trial will provide other valuable data. Considering that the costs associated with diabetes and other associated health complications (i.e diabetic retinopathy) are estimated to be more than AU$10 billion, our intervention has a considerable potential to deliver substantial savings to the Australian community. The study will also generate a closer coordination between primary and tertiary care settings. This proposed trial will contribute substantially to future health policies related to personnel, resources and funding allocated to diabetes, eye health and rehabilitation. Read moreRead less
Sexual health of migrant women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) groups: an international comparison. This project will examine the sexual health beliefs and practices of women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, who are recent migrants to Australia and Canada. This analysis will inform the development of guidelines for sexual health information, which will be evaluated as part of the project.
Efficacy of strategies to increase participation rates in disease management programs. The aim of this project is to determine the most effective strategies for maximising recruitment and retention of at-risk adults into evidence-based disease- and risk-management programs, as well as completion of health risk assessments. It is evident from the literature on risk factor modification, and on the economic and social costs of chronic diseases, that increasing participation in these programs will ....Efficacy of strategies to increase participation rates in disease management programs. The aim of this project is to determine the most effective strategies for maximising recruitment and retention of at-risk adults into evidence-based disease- and risk-management programs, as well as completion of health risk assessments. It is evident from the literature on risk factor modification, and on the economic and social costs of chronic diseases, that increasing participation in these programs will lead to reduced health costs and reduced morbidity and mortality among the target population. The primary outcome of this project will be evidence-based guidelines on the best strategies for recruitment to, and retention in, disease and risk management programs.Read moreRead less
Smoking cessation program for smokers admitted to public hospitals. This project will implement and evaluate a multidisciplinary healthcare intervention initiated by hospital pharmacists and followed up by primary health professionals to assist smokers admitted to three Victorian tertiary public hospitals to give up smoking. This program could potentially reduce smoking-related death, illness and healthcare costs.
Implementation and evaluation of a program to reduce alcohol and related problems among farm men and women. Farming is pivotal to Australia's food production and economy; yet farm communities are under great stress. The Sustainable Farm Families program aims to strengthen rural communities across Australia, and our project will add an important component to it by producing an evidence-based strategy for encouraging farm men and women to adopt more positive alcohol-related behaviours that will l ....Implementation and evaluation of a program to reduce alcohol and related problems among farm men and women. Farming is pivotal to Australia's food production and economy; yet farm communities are under great stress. The Sustainable Farm Families program aims to strengthen rural communities across Australia, and our project will add an important component to it by producing an evidence-based strategy for encouraging farm men and women to adopt more positive alcohol-related behaviours that will lead to better physical and mental health. We expect that our project will reduce the level of dangerous alcohol consumption and enhance the economic, social and cultural fabric of rural Australia.Read moreRead less
Improving the participation of young people with chronic illness in triadic medical discussions about their health. This research will identify key strategies for empowering young people and improving their participation in medical communication about chronic illness. Project outcomes will include the development of guidelines and educational resources to support young people, parents and doctors to achieve open, inclusive communication in medical settings.
Evaluation of couple counselling: Short and long-term effectiveness. Relationship breakdown and marital distress are serious and growing problems, affecting Australian families, their health, work productivity, socio-economic well-being, and children's development. This partnership with Australia's largest provider of relationship services has potential to a strong evidence base to inform current practice, future services, and training of counsellors. The study makes important contributions to t ....Evaluation of couple counselling: Short and long-term effectiveness. Relationship breakdown and marital distress are serious and growing problems, affecting Australian families, their health, work productivity, socio-economic well-being, and children's development. This partnership with Australia's largest provider of relationship services has potential to a strong evidence base to inform current practice, future services, and training of counsellors. The study makes important contributions to the national research priorities of promoting and maintaining good health, ageing well, ageing productively, and strengthening Australia's social and economic fabric. It will inform future government policy, funding of relationship counselling services and the health and happiness of Australian families.Read moreRead less