Examinations of the relationship between accreditation and clinical and organisational performance. Accreditation of organisations is now commonplace. It involves assessing organisations against pre-defined standards. This is a highly significant issue because of the millions of dollars of investment in accreditation. We do not know if we achieve value for money or whether positive change is associated with accreditation. Few studies have examined this in detail. We aim to do so in this stud ....Examinations of the relationship between accreditation and clinical and organisational performance. Accreditation of organisations is now commonplace. It involves assessing organisations against pre-defined standards. This is a highly significant issue because of the millions of dollars of investment in accreditation. We do not know if we achieve value for money or whether positive change is associated with accreditation. Few studies have examined this in detail. We aim to do so in this study. We will examine organisational and individual performance associated with accreditation status in order to illuminate the process and uncover any associations between accreditation and organisational culture, consumer participation and clinical (individual) performance indicators.
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Cognitive Pharmaceutical Services To Mental Health Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$88,473.00
Summary
It is estimated that more than 450 million people are suffering from a mental illness at any one time. Medications are the main method of treatment for people with mental illnesses. The types of medications used for mental illnesses are commonly associated with side effects and high rates of discontinuation. The aim of this research is to develop a pharmacy management service, in conjunction with other health care professionals, to help patients and their carers to manage their medications.
Health Problems Of The Western Australian Dhufish (Glaucosoma Hebraicum)
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$81,405.00
Summary
The two current FRDC supported projects investigating the WA dhufish conducted at the Fremantle Maritime Center and the School of Biological Sciences at Murdoch University have identified various fish health issues for the species. In some cases these fish health issues will have implications for wild stocks of the WA dhufish and in others they may compromise the ability to commercialise the culture of the species.
Whilst health problems identified so far have been controlled to some ex ....The two current FRDC supported projects investigating the WA dhufish conducted at the Fremantle Maritime Center and the School of Biological Sciences at Murdoch University have identified various fish health issues for the species. In some cases these fish health issues will have implications for wild stocks of the WA dhufish and in others they may compromise the ability to commercialise the culture of the species.
Whilst health problems identified so far have been controlled to some extent in the hatchery, the ability to control these in a commercial grow-out operation will be very difficult unless a thorough understanding of the life history of the infesting organisms and the relationship to their host is known. Similarly, improved knowledge of the causal mechanisms of exophthalmia syndrome are required to permit prevention and treatment measures.
Staff at the Fremantle Maritime Centre, the Fisheries Department of WA, or the School of Biological Sciences at Murdoch University do not have the resources to quantify disease causal agents and preventative measures for the WA dhufish.
A recent report of the National Task Force on Imported Fish and Fish products (the Fish Task Force report) noted that there is a serious shortage of aquatic animal health specialists in Australia. The report identified a need to provide a continuum of expertise in this field to support developing aquaculture industries. A recent response to this issue from the Office of the Australian Chief Veterinary Officer (OCVO) emphasises that there is a considerable need for more veterinary training in fish health. This includes the development of standard diagnostic techniques for diseases of aquatic animals and the development of contingency plans for the management of aquatic disease and pest outbreaks. The proposed project addresses these issues. Objectives: 1. To understand the pathogenesis of exophthalmia syndrome in Western Australian dhufish 2. Control of significant health problems which occur in WA dhufish Read moreRead less
Multi-level analysis of human resource management systems on hospital outcomes. This project explores the relationships among human resource management systems, perceived organisational support, trust-in-management and commitment of healthcare workers. The fundamental aim is to assist hospital managers to determine where to direct their efforts to have maximum impact upon staff and hospital performance.
To complain or not to complain-That is the question! Does under-representation of rural complaints compromise quality of rural healthcare? Pro-rata, rural residents make fewer formal complaints about health care services than do metropolitan residents. This research investigates the reasons why, and the implications for quality improvement of rural health services. The research will also identify the most appropriate ways of engaging rural consumer participation in monitoring the quality of t ....To complain or not to complain-That is the question! Does under-representation of rural complaints compromise quality of rural healthcare? Pro-rata, rural residents make fewer formal complaints about health care services than do metropolitan residents. This research investigates the reasons why, and the implications for quality improvement of rural health services. The research will also identify the most appropriate ways of engaging rural consumer participation in monitoring the quality of their health services. Based on improved indicators, the Health Services Commission and health providers will have access to a better evidence base for maximising the quality of health care and services available in rural areas.Read moreRead less
Culture Change for a Sustainable Future: Strategy, Culture and Subculture in Queensland Health. The project investigates the strategic change processes of a State Health authority. The organisation has launched a series of change efforts in recent years, the most current being a major strategic initiative that is being implemented via a Balanced Scorecard methodology. The project examines longitudinally that change implementation process and its affects, particularly the impact on organisational ....Culture Change for a Sustainable Future: Strategy, Culture and Subculture in Queensland Health. The project investigates the strategic change processes of a State Health authority. The organisation has launched a series of change efforts in recent years, the most current being a major strategic initiative that is being implemented via a Balanced Scorecard methodology. The project examines longitudinally that change implementation process and its affects, particularly the impact on organisational culture. Theoretically, it explores the existence of organisational subcultures and how they function as a resource by organisational members to make differential interpretations of the change process. It focuses on subcultures formed around professional identifications and the extent to which they align with the change.Read moreRead less
Patterns Of Cancer Care For Indigenous People In NSW
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,690,636.00
Summary
Cancer is the second biggest killer of Indigenous Australians: for some cancers the mortality rate is more than 3 times higher in Aboriginal people and overall it is 60% higher. While differences in stage at diagnosis and the type and duration of care received by Aboriginal people may contribute to the higher mortality, this has not been studied in detail. New South Wales has the largest Aboriginal population in Australia. Reliable and current data on cancer care for NSW Aboriginal people will a ....Cancer is the second biggest killer of Indigenous Australians: for some cancers the mortality rate is more than 3 times higher in Aboriginal people and overall it is 60% higher. While differences in stage at diagnosis and the type and duration of care received by Aboriginal people may contribute to the higher mortality, this has not been studied in detail. New South Wales has the largest Aboriginal population in Australia. Reliable and current data on cancer care for NSW Aboriginal people will allow health services to better target cancer care. The aims of this project are: to determine whether Aboriginal people are being diagnosed with cancer at later stages; to describe the barriers to Aboriginal people being diagnosed earlier and accessing cancer care; to describe the care that Aboriginal people with cancer are currently receiving; and to compare their level and types of care with that received by non-Indigenous people. We will conduct four studies to address these aims. We will conduct interviews with Aboriginal people diagnosed with cancer and Aboriginal health workers who look after people with cancer to find out about their perceptions and experiences of Aboriginal people dealing with cancer. We will analyse a data set containing records from the NSW Central Cancer Registry and hospital admission records for people living in NSW. Treatments for cancer for Aboriginal and non-Indigenous people will be compared. This analysis will be complemented by an examination of records at Aboriginal Medical Services to obtain information on other treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy and referrals to specialists. We will also conduct a population-based patterns of care study where questionnaires seeking information about the diagnostic tests performed and types of treatment given will be sent to doctors who have treated Aboriginal people with cancer. In addition, information will be obtained from Aboriginal people with newly diagnosed cancer about the clinical pathway that led to the diagnosis.Read moreRead less
Treating Adult Obesity: Can A Tailored, Low Cost Dietetic Service Turn Around The Obesity Epidemic?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$90,567.00
Summary
Dietitians are trained to treat obesity, yet Australia is in an obesity crisis. In this study we investigate the clinical service dietitians offer to treat obesity in adults from the dietitian and the client perspective. From this information, we will model a computer-based system with the ability to report financial, and health progress. This work will result in a model of care that is better, faster, more accessible, and improves the health of Australians.
Aquatic Animal Health And Biosecurity Subprogram: Strategic Planning, Project Management And Adoption
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$533,767.19
Summary
AAHBS provides a cohesive national approach to FRDC-supported aquatic animal health R&D in Australia by providing leadership, direction and focus for health R&D and other related non-R&D activities. AAHS was renewed in 2012 based on national need, previous performance and strong stakeholder support. Key strengths include its strategic focus and the establishment of a network of aquatic animal health experts and research providers. An external review of AAHS was undertaken in 2015 and it found th ....AAHBS provides a cohesive national approach to FRDC-supported aquatic animal health R&D in Australia by providing leadership, direction and focus for health R&D and other related non-R&D activities. AAHS was renewed in 2012 based on national need, previous performance and strong stakeholder support. Key strengths include its strategic focus and the establishment of a network of aquatic animal health experts and research providers. An external review of AAHS was undertaken in 2015 and it found that the consensus among the major stakeholders was that AAHS provides an essential service for the major stakeholders. Thus, continuation of AAHS beyond 2016 on the basis of a shared financial commitment by stakeholders from industry and governments is highly desirable.
Australia’s aquatic animal sector is free from many diseases that occur overseas, providing us with a competitive advantage in both production and trade. While the number of aquatic animal species and the absolute number of aquatic animals being farmed in Australia is increasing annually, new diseases caused by emerging infectious agents (e.g. new yellow head virus genotypes, oyster oedema disease, ostreid herpesvirus, Bonamia exitiosa) continue to threaten the sustainability of significant enterprises, and the call on health services to support this expanding industry is growing.
In addition to aquaculture, aquatic animal health R&D is required for the other aquatic animal sectors, including wild-capture (c.f. Edwardsiella ictaluri in catfish), recreational (c.f. Perkinsus in oysters) and ornamental (c.f. gourami iridovirus), that share the aquatic environment. Thus health services need to be coordinated across all aquatic sectors to ensure synergy while avoiding duplication. FRDC, through AAHBS, plays a major role in addressing research needs and training in aquatic animal health. With its incumbent expertise and experience, AAHBS is able to direct these activities in the most pressing areas.
Objectives: 1. Manage a portfolio of R&D projects that are directly concerned with aquatic animal health & biosecurity and are not managed by other FRDC subprograms, FRABs or IPAs 2. In consultation with key stakeholders (industry, government and aquatic animal health providers) develop strategic directions for R&D 3. Facilitate the dissemination of outputs (information and results) from R&D projects to key stakeholders Read moreRead less