Whiplash injury incurs a huge health burden on Australia as many people do not recover well. This project aims to implement and evaluate a Clinical Pathway of Care for whiplash injury that guides primary care providers in their assessment and treatment of people with acute whiplash. This will improve health ouctomes and recovery following the injury.
Improving Evidence Based Care For Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$533,442.00
Summary
There is an urgent need to improve care for men with advanced prostate cancer if we wish to improve their survival. Compelling new evidence suggests we need to alter current practice by offering radiotherapy to high risk men – but will clinicians change their practice? We will develop and test ways to change practice within a network of 9 hopsitals. The study will provide crucial evidence about how to embed the recommended care into practice to improve outcomes for men with prostate cancer.
Electronic Decision Support For Osteoporosis Care To Assist Clinicians And Patients In Primary Care And Hospitals
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$598,570.00
Summary
Currently there is so much health information for doctors and consumers to sift through important health conditions can be missed. In a world first, a computer decision aid is being developed that will link risk factors for fracture and osteoporosis with the latest scientific evidence about investigations and treatment. It’s not just for doctors but also for the public; with a consumer decision aid being developed to place the latest scientific evidence about osteoporosis at your fingertips.
Closing The Evidence-practice Gap In Total Knee Replacement: Optimising Evidence-based Decision-making Through A Multi-dimensional Surgeon Feedback Intervention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,091,926.00
Summary
Total knee replacement (TKR) is one of the most successful surgeries for treating knee arthritis. With an ageing population demand for TKR will increase dramatically, placing burden on our health system. It is estimated that 25% of TKRs are performed in inappropriate candidates according to evidence-based guidelines. This project evaluates a program for surgeons that will improve adherence to using guidelines, which will improve efficiencies & equitability of this important surgical procedure.
An Interdisciplinary Model Of Care For Early Detection Of Lung Damage, Smoking Cessation Support, And A Home-based Exercise/self-management Program
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$448,381.00
Summary
An interdisciplinary model of care comprising screening of long-term smokers for early detection of lung damage, smoking cessation support, and a home-based exercise/self-management program will be implemented and evaluated. This model could potentially reduce the burden of smoking, improve lung health and maintain health-related quality of life.
Optimising Primary Care Management Of Knee Osteoarthritis: The PARTNER Project.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,155,444.00
Summary
Our overall aim is to implement a cost-effective, sustainable, evidence-based model of co-ordinated primary care targeting both the general practitioner and the patient that improves management and outcomes for overweight/obese people with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and reduces health care costs.
Patient-centred EHealth Approach To Improving Outcomes For Gout Sufferers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$688,354.00
Summary
Gout, caused by excessive urate, can be controlled by prescribing medication and patients adhering to them. We will conduct a 2-year controlled trial in primary care to test an eHealth tool to significantly improve gout patient outcomes. This tool tracks patients plasma urate, medication adherence, gout attacks and provides education, interaction with gout experts and reminders of medical visits. Nationwide rollout of this gout management tool will occur after improved outcomes are proven.
A Practice Change Intervention To Increase The Provision Of Antenatal Care Addressing Maternal Alcohol Consumption During Pregnancy: A Stepped-wedge Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$766,349.00
Summary
Alcohol consumption during pregnancy contributes to a range of adverse outcomes for the child. Despite guidelines recommending no alcohol use in pregnancy, less than half of all health professionals routinely raise the topic with pregnant women and pregnant women continue to consume alcohol. This study aims to determine if a practice change intervention can increase best-practice care for alcohol consumption in pregnancy.
Should Australia Introduce A National Chlamydia Testing Program? Evaluation Of A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$518,510.00
Summary
Chlamydia is a very common sexually transmissible infection that can lead to infertility in women. About 4% of young adults have it, yet most are unaware they have it. Chlamydia is easy to diagnose and treat, but it is not known whether annual testing can reduce its spread. Over1 million tests are conducted each year in general practice, costing the government $30 million. This evaluation of a well-established trial of chlamydia testing in young adults will resolve the debate of whether annual t ....Chlamydia is a very common sexually transmissible infection that can lead to infertility in women. About 4% of young adults have it, yet most are unaware they have it. Chlamydia is easy to diagnose and treat, but it is not known whether annual testing can reduce its spread. Over1 million tests are conducted each year in general practice, costing the government $30 million. This evaluation of a well-established trial of chlamydia testing in young adults will resolve the debate of whether annual testing works and is a good use of money.Read moreRead less
Prioritising Responses Of Nurses To Deteriorating Patient Observations (PRONTO)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$459,688.00
Summary
Vital signs are the most common assessment technique employed in healthcare. If vital signs of deterioration are missed, misinterpreted or mismanaged, then patient harm and death may result. Early detection requires frequent and accurate measurement of vital signs by nurses, intervention and escalation to appropriate clinicians. This study will measure the effectiveness of an intervention to improve nurses vital sign measurement, treatment and escalation of patients with abnormal vital signs.