After the questions: outcomes of routine screening for domestic violence in NSW Health services. Recent research indicates that domestic violence is the leading contributor to death, disability and illness in women aged 15-44 in Australia and leads to health costs of $314 m annually (VicHealth 2004, Access Economics 2004). Routine screening is a low cost measure aimed at prevention and early intervention for domestic violence, which has been successfully introduced for women entering antenatal, ....After the questions: outcomes of routine screening for domestic violence in NSW Health services. Recent research indicates that domestic violence is the leading contributor to death, disability and illness in women aged 15-44 in Australia and leads to health costs of $314 m annually (VicHealth 2004, Access Economics 2004). Routine screening is a low cost measure aimed at prevention and early intervention for domestic violence, which has been successfully introduced for women entering antenatal, early childhood, mental health and drug and alcohol services operated by NSW Health. The research will be the first study of its size to consider the outcomes of routine screening for domestic violence in public health settings in the Australian context.Read moreRead less
EFFECTIVENESS OF INFLUENZA AND PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINATION IN PREVENTING HOSPITALISATION DUE TO PNEUMONIA IN OLDER PERSONS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$258,475.00
Summary
Flu and pneumococcus remain important causes of illness and death in Australia. They can cause pneumonia and severe respiratory illness, including death, especially in older people. This is because natural immunity against infections tends to decrease with age. Vaccination against flu and pneumococcus is therefore recommended for all persons aged 65 years or older, but only in Victoria are both vaccines publicly funded. The Victorian initiative appears to have had a marked impact on improving va ....Flu and pneumococcus remain important causes of illness and death in Australia. They can cause pneumonia and severe respiratory illness, including death, especially in older people. This is because natural immunity against infections tends to decrease with age. Vaccination against flu and pneumococcus is therefore recommended for all persons aged 65 years or older, but only in Victoria are both vaccines publicly funded. The Victorian initiative appears to have had a marked impact on improving vaccination coverage, but its impact on disease has never been assessed. This study will estimate vaccination coverage, missed vaccination opportunities, effectiveness of flu and pneumococcal vaccines in preventing hospitalisation for pneumonia, and cost-effectiveness of the currently funded vaccination program in this age group. This is considered a priority because of the serious but preventable nature of the diseases caused by these infections. This study will improve awareness of the importance of vaccination among individuals, and given the high estimated vaccine coverage in older Victorians, is well placed to provide the first available evidence for or against effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of flu and pneumococcal vaccination in older Australians. The results may have major implications for public health policy in Victoria and elsewhere in Australia.Read moreRead less
Pathways to healing: determining effective care pathways for chronic wounds for timely healing, prevention and cost effectiveness. Care for chronic leg ulcers is reported to cost 1-2.5% of total health budgets (>3 billion $US/year, $500 million AUD/year). Efficient use of health resources and improved health as a result of effective chronic wound management (early healing and prevention) are the most significant potential outcomes from this study. In addition to direct health care costs, chronic ....Pathways to healing: determining effective care pathways for chronic wounds for timely healing, prevention and cost effectiveness. Care for chronic leg ulcers is reported to cost 1-2.5% of total health budgets (>3 billion $US/year, $500 million AUD/year). Efficient use of health resources and improved health as a result of effective chronic wound management (early healing and prevention) are the most significant potential outcomes from this study. In addition to direct health care costs, chronic wounds are associated with significant hidden burdens on the community resulting from loss of mobility, decreased functional ability, social isolation and loss of participation in the workforce/society. This study will provide much needed information on management of this chronic disease to promote improved quality of life, health and independence in this population.Read moreRead less
A study of the provision of the emergency contraceptive pill over-the-counter in Australia. Australian abortion rates, especially among young women, are a major concern. The emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) is an effective method for the prevention of unwanted and unplanned pregnancy, with the potential to reduce abortions. The study aims to provide evidence of whether the rescheduling of ECP in Australia so that pharmacists as well as doctors can dispense it, has improved its accessibility ....A study of the provision of the emergency contraceptive pill over-the-counter in Australia. Australian abortion rates, especially among young women, are a major concern. The emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) is an effective method for the prevention of unwanted and unplanned pregnancy, with the potential to reduce abortions. The study aims to provide evidence of whether the rescheduling of ECP in Australia so that pharmacists as well as doctors can dispense it, has improved its accessibility and use by women at risk of abortion. It will also assess whether pharmacists feel confident, well-trained and supported to provide it and whether abortion rates have reduced. The study will provide policymakers with the evidence to assess whether this important initiative is effective and what is needed to improve its effectiveness.Read moreRead less
Towards Evidence-based Adoption And Scale-up Of Cost-saving Primary Health Care Innovations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,768.00
Summary
What innovations like service integration, care coordination and information technology (e.g. text message reminders, remote video consultations, remote monitoring) have in common is that they alter the patient-provider interface, more reliably and consistently than improving clinical outcomes. So, to determine their true costs and benefits, how to select among them and how to scale them up, this research program will assess them based on measures of how they alter patient-provider transactions.
Population Health Planning For Rural Medicare Locals: Evaluating A Community Participation Method For Delivering Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$438,587.00
Summary
The study, in six communities, will evaluate whether an evidenced based method of rural community participation from the UK translates to assist healthcare planning by Medicare Locals. Medicare Locals must involve local people in designing services to improve health, but lack methods to do this. The focus of the study is oral health, a major issue in rural areas. The study evaluates whether new services are designed and implemented and whether there is change to health knowledge and behaviours.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120101502
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Planning the primary health care workforces: developing and implementing a needs-based approach. Current approaches to workforce planning in Australia do not adequately take into account the future health care needs of the population, leading to expensive solutions. This project undertaken within primary health care will develop a needs-based health workforce planning model which will provide a better predictive model of future workplace requirements.
Emergency Health Services: Demand and service delivery models. Congestion of emergency health services is causing considerable community concern regarding Australia's capacity to manage daily health emergencies and to respond to major incidents and disasters. The service models developed in this project will provide the basis for policy and service initiatives which will address the growing demand for emergency health services more efficiently and effectively and thus meet community expectations ....Emergency Health Services: Demand and service delivery models. Congestion of emergency health services is causing considerable community concern regarding Australia's capacity to manage daily health emergencies and to respond to major incidents and disasters. The service models developed in this project will provide the basis for policy and service initiatives which will address the growing demand for emergency health services more efficiently and effectively and thus meet community expectations. Improved services will result in improved community health and wellbeing. This project will also develop the research capacity of Australia through training of key individuals who will lead future research and development of emergency health services in Australia.Read moreRead less