Adverse Outcomes Following Cataract Surgery In Western Australia: A Population Study Using Record Linkage
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$359,150.00
Summary
Cataract is a major cause of correctable visual loss with surgery the only treatment available. Cataract surgery is now one of the most commonly performed operations. With the ageing population, the number of operations is set to double within the next 12 years in Western Australia, from 10,000 procedures a year currently. Although surgery is successful in most cases, complications do occur. Endophthalmitis (infection of internal structures of the eye), incomplete cataract removal, detachment of ....Cataract is a major cause of correctable visual loss with surgery the only treatment available. Cataract surgery is now one of the most commonly performed operations. With the ageing population, the number of operations is set to double within the next 12 years in Western Australia, from 10,000 procedures a year currently. Although surgery is successful in most cases, complications do occur. Endophthalmitis (infection of internal structures of the eye), incomplete cataract removal, detachment of the retina and corneal decompensation (opacity of the clear front of the eye) are four major complications of cataract surgery. These complications may cause blindness and are expensive to treat. We propose to investigate these serious, potentially blinding, complications of cataract surgery by measuring how often these complications occur and to examine if changes in surgical technique over the past 20 years have resulted in better outcomes. We will also evaluate risk factors for endophthalmitis; and determine the quality of life and economic costs of endophthalmitis after cataract surgery. Our study findings will enable us to better inform eye surgeons, the general community, health policy makers and the scientific community about the cost versus safety of different forms of cataract surgery. Unless effective strategies can be found to reduce the rate of complications, the personal and community burden of these devastating complications will only increase as the number of operations continues to increase.Read moreRead less
The South Australian Dental Longitudinal Study has been the first comprehensive dental longitudinal study of older adults to be conducted in Australia. Participants were aged 60+ years at the 1991 baseline data collection, and were a random sample of community-dwelling older adults in urban Adelaide and rural Mount Gambier. The 11-year follow-up data collection will build upon the previous study findings to provide important and new information about the onset and progression of oral diseases in ....The South Australian Dental Longitudinal Study has been the first comprehensive dental longitudinal study of older adults to be conducted in Australia. Participants were aged 60+ years at the 1991 baseline data collection, and were a random sample of community-dwelling older adults in urban Adelaide and rural Mount Gambier. The 11-year follow-up data collection will build upon the previous study findings to provide important and new information about the onset and progression of oral diseases in older Australians. It will also assist with the identification of general health and other characteristics (socio-demographic, medical, functional, cognitive, nutritional, swallowing, dental history, oral hygiene care, financial, social support and oral disorder social impact characteristics) that are associated with oral diseases in various groups of older adults. Groups of older adults within the study include those who are healthy and living in the community, those who are frail and use support services, and those who have moved into residential care. This information will assist both private and public health sectors, dental professionals and other health professionals with the identification of those older adults who are at high risk for developing oral diseases, such as those with dementia, those with physical disabilities, and those living in residential care. This 11-year data collection will be one of only 4 similar international studies currently being conducted, and will provide important comparison data for future studies of older Australians.Read moreRead less
Using Broadcast Media And Internet To Increase Public Understanding And Participation In Randomized Controlled Trials
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$88,442.00
Summary
Around the world consumers use the media and search the internet for information regarding health and medical care. This research program aims to evaluate the validity and applicability of internet based randomized controlled trials compared to traditional methods of conducting randomized trials. The results will help determine the future direction of internet based trials, and will enhance public awareness of methods to assess the effectiveness of health care interventions.
Reducing Maternal Depression Two Years After Birth: Follow-up Of A Cohort Within A Community Randomised Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$359,920.00
Summary
Maternal depression following childbirth is a significant public health issue. Previous Victorian research has found that 15-17% of women experience depression 6-9 months after birth, and of those depressed then, 30% are likely still to be depressed or depressed again two years after the birth. In 1998 16 Victorian municipalities began participating in the first ever community randomised trial of prevention and early intervention in depression - PRISM (Program of Resources, Information and Suppo ....Maternal depression following childbirth is a significant public health issue. Previous Victorian research has found that 15-17% of women experience depression 6-9 months after birth, and of those depressed then, 30% are likely still to be depressed or depressed again two years after the birth. In 1998 16 Victorian municipalities began participating in the first ever community randomised trial of prevention and early intervention in depression - PRISM (Program of Resources, Information and Support for Mothers). PRISM involves eight areas participating in a range of primary care and community based strategies designed to mobilise appropriate community support for mothers and children with a view to reducing maternal depression and improving maternal physical health and recovery after birth. The other eight areas are participating as comparison communities. Evaluation in PRISM is assessing major health outcomes for mothers and wider community benefits (flow-on effects) of the intervention program. Process and impact evaluation has also been undertaken to document and assess the different program elements and enhance the reproducibility of the program if successful. All women giving birth in the 16 areas are currently being surveyed six months after birth (from August 2000-February 2002). Within PRISM it is now proposed to follow-up women again two years after birth, to assess the impact of the intervention program on: *recovery from depression among the group of mothers in both intervention and comparison areas who were depressed six months after birth; and *the overall prevalence of depression and physical ill-health in all mothers. This follow-up study has the capacity to provide infromation on the poorly documented natural history of maternal depression from birth through the next two years in a large sample, including both urban and rural residents.Read moreRead less
Understanding And Preventing Gastroenteritis And Foodborne Disease In Elderly Australians
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$69,684.00
Summary
Foodborne and gastrointestinal diseases amongst older people are an emerging concern for the Australian public and an overstretched health care system. In this study, I will undertake research to understand the pattern of disease among elderly people using data from national surveys of gastroenteritis and surveillance of infectious diseases. This study will provide evidence for strategies to control foodborne disease and gastroenteritis in elderly people and aged care homes.
Incidence And Outcome Of Stroke In Rural South Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$735,541.00
Summary
We propose to undertake a population-based study of the incidence, management and outcome of stroke (survival, disability, recurrent stroke) in geographically defined segments of rural South Australia and compare these with equivalent data, collected during the same period in a defined sector of metropolitan Adelaide. It is hard to over-state the value of this information for planning health services of many kinds for the next decade.
Expectations And Barriers In The Ambulance Service And Palliative Care Interface
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$49,916.00
Summary
There are over 6000 paramedics in Australia. The ambulance service is faced with palliative care on a daily basis throughout the country. Their involvement in palliative care is diverse and may include response to end of life calls, response to aid home care, response to manage acute events, providing health transport and collaborating with other care givers. The nature of this involvement, and the broader policy, operational, clinical and social implications has not been researched in Australia ....There are over 6000 paramedics in Australia. The ambulance service is faced with palliative care on a daily basis throughout the country. Their involvement in palliative care is diverse and may include response to end of life calls, response to aid home care, response to manage acute events, providing health transport and collaborating with other care givers. The nature of this involvement, and the broader policy, operational, clinical and social implications has not been researched in Australia. This study will survey paramedics across two states to describe their involvement in palliative care, and the issues and challenges associated with provision of this service.Read moreRead less