Team Approach To Polypharmacy Evaluation And Reduction For General Practice Patients With Dementia: The Australian TAPERdem Study.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$586,840.00
Summary
Dementia frequently coexists with other chronic conditions, posing a challenge to optimise medication use. Suboptimal pharmacological management of comorbidities exacerbates the rate of functional decline of PWD. The present study will determine to what extent improved medication management produces better health and functional outcomes for PWD.
Investigation Of Comorbid Anxiety And Depression In Older Adults (aged 60 Years And Above).
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$189,874.00
Summary
This project is concerned with improving understanding of anxiety and depression in older adults. The project includes investigation into methods for better assessment and detection, and examination of the effectiveness of psychological treatments for these problems. The project also includes experiments to investigate the factors that cause and maintain anxiety and depression in older adults, and how anxiety and depression might present differently from younger adults.
I am a medical practitioner - clinical research scientist investigating the broad range of health issues related to obesity, especially severe obesity. My studies have largely focussed on learning more about these clinical conditions, their relationship to obesity, examining the effect of substantial sustained weight loss, and translating into practice via educational activities.
A Randomised Control Trial Of A Group-Based Intervention For Substance Abuse In Psychosis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$345,250.00
Summary
The use of alcohol and illicit substances is common amongst people with psychotic illnesses, and is associated with a poor outcome in terms of severity of symptoms, treatment adherence, work-studies, family cohesion, aggression and quality of life. All this adds significantly to the cost of mental health services and society more broadly. The proposed study aims to refine, pilot, and rigorously evaluate a group-based intervention that targets substance use in such individuals at different stages ....The use of alcohol and illicit substances is common amongst people with psychotic illnesses, and is associated with a poor outcome in terms of severity of symptoms, treatment adherence, work-studies, family cohesion, aggression and quality of life. All this adds significantly to the cost of mental health services and society more broadly. The proposed study aims to refine, pilot, and rigorously evaluate a group-based intervention that targets substance use in such individuals at different stages of their illness, and within a number of different treatment settings. The intervention will be informed by an enhanced understanding of the motivations for substance use in people with psychotic illnesses The specific aims are to: Refine, implement and evaluate, using a controlled experimental design, a novel group-based intervention for reducing substance abuse comorbidity in people with psychotic disorders; Determine reasons for substance use by these individuals, to inform the intervention procedures; Pilot the intervention in a series of different treatment settings, including early episode and rehabilitation programs, and non-government organisations dealing with people with psychotic disorders, to ensure generalisability, adaptability, and acceptability; Augment case managers' knowledge and skills in dealing with comorbid drug and alcohol use Enhance detection, motivation to change, ongoing monitoring and relapse prevention of substance misuse in clients with psychotic disorders. It will also be possible, once the treatment intervention is finalised and evaluated, to expand its use to patients with non-psychotic mental illnesses.Read moreRead less
Statistical Analyses Of Whole Genome Genotype Data To Better Understand Psychiatric Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$543,755.00
Summary
Until now, determining an overlapping genetic aetiology between disorders, required large study cohorts of family records. Here we will use genome-wide genotypes available on independent case-control samples to estimate a shared genetic aetiology directly from the molecular data. In this way we will explore previously intractable questions, such as the relationship between rheumatoid arthritis in people with schizophrenia, a well-recognised epidemiological puzzle.
‘Equally Well’: Addressing Comorbid Physical, Mental, And Substance Use Disorders With Psychological Interventions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$715,210.00
Summary
Mental ill-health, substance use and chronic physical illness go hand in hand, yet treatment for all three health issues is rarely delivered. Amanda Baker is leading a team trialling psychological interventions for these co-existing health issues suitable for delivery in mental health, substance use and medical settings. Telephone and online interventions are also being developed. Addressing these three co-existing health concerns is expected to improve treatment outcomes and quality of life.