What Do Australians Think About Privacy And Participation In Epidemiological Research?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$443,015.00
Summary
There is very little research available, in Australia or internationally, about what the general public considers privacy to be; or how important privacy protection is in the context of high and low risk epidemiological studies. We also know little about what affects willingness to participate in epidemiological research. Our research will provide an evidence base, and develop resources for the legislature, the NHMRC, ethics committees and researchers.
Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in the world. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive constituent of cannabis, is known to be preferentially taken up into fat tissue where it can be stored for weeks, months and possibly years. Boy fat has the capacity to store large quantities of THC and the slow passive release of THC from fat cells into the blood accounts for why THC remains at detectable levels in the blood or urine for weeks after exposure to cannabis. Under n ....Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in the world. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive constituent of cannabis, is known to be preferentially taken up into fat tissue where it can be stored for weeks, months and possibly years. Boy fat has the capacity to store large quantities of THC and the slow passive release of THC from fat cells into the blood accounts for why THC remains at detectable levels in the blood or urine for weeks after exposure to cannabis. Under normal conditions the slow passive release of THC from fat cells has negligible effects on the user as the amounts involved are so small. However, we have recent preliminary evidence to show that conditions associated with increased fat metabolism (e.g. dieting, exercise or stress) cause a greatly enhanced release of THC from fat stores into the blood supply. Further, we have demonstrated that such levels attained promote significant behavioural and physiological changes The current proposal aims to further characterise this phenomenon. We aim to: (1) determine the length of time that THC can be stored in fat before being released into blood, (2) establish that the release of THC stored in fat tissue may be promoted by fat breakdown associated with food deprivation, stress or exercise, (3) characterise the physiological and behavioural effects of THC released from fat, (4) determine the mechanisms responsible for THC release from fat, and (5) determine if THC released from fat can cross from the bloodstream into saliva. This proposal has far reaching consequences for our understanding of the long-term effects on cannabis use on physical health and behaviour. Further, it may have major implications for the correct interpretation of analytical data from road-side saliva testing and forensic and criminal cases involving cannabis use.Read moreRead less
Difficult Decisions: A Critical Analysis Of Consent To High-risk Medical Procedures
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,918.00
Summary
Consent is the cornerstone of ethics as applied to healthcare and is central to the relationship between healthcare and the law. Whilst no-one would deny the importance of seeking consent to high-risk medical procedures, much depends on the practical manner in which this is done. By studying consent for high-risk procedures with the participation of patients and their health care providers, we will both test the limits of consent and find practical ways to address those limits. In doing so, the ....Consent is the cornerstone of ethics as applied to healthcare and is central to the relationship between healthcare and the law. Whilst no-one would deny the importance of seeking consent to high-risk medical procedures, much depends on the practical manner in which this is done. By studying consent for high-risk procedures with the participation of patients and their health care providers, we will both test the limits of consent and find practical ways to address those limits. In doing so, the project will re-cast consent processes in a way that better accommodates the contingencies of clinical practice in high-risk settings in which patient autonomy is often compromised. Because this reformulation of consent will be grounded in the realities of high-risk clinical practice, our findings will reflect the needs and values of relevant stakeholders (patient and health professionals) and more likely to make a significant contribution to patient care and health policy. This project also addresses what the High Court of Australia has acknowledged as widespread weaknesses in the common formulation of consent in medicine. Finally this project, which operates in an important area of overlap between the law and medicine, will show how these disciplines can work jointly to serve the interests of all Australians, and Australian society.Read moreRead less
Ethical And Legal Issues Surrounding The Decision-making Process For Donating And Banking Umbilical Cord Blood
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$417,550.00
Summary
Altruistic donation of umbilical cord blood (UCB) is essential to provide a source of stem cells to treat various cancers and blood-immune disorders. However, parents can instead, bank UCB for personal use. This project will determine if parents are aware and understand differences between UCB donation and banking, as well as analysing the legal issues surrounding both processes. We aim to make recommendations to improve the decision-making process with the hope of increasing UCB donation rates.
Deconstructing DTCA: Towards A Differentiated Policy Response To Direct-to-Consumer Advertising In Australia.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$190,760.00
Summary
Spending on prescription pharmaceuticals is the fastest growing part of the health budget. In recent years attention has shifted to the impact of direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) on consumer demand and drug costs. Although DTCA is prohibited in Australia, it is clear that different types of DTCA are occurring. This study will examine the nature and range of DTCA, review the benefits and harms of DTCA, and identify the perspectives of major stakeholders regarding DTCA. The study will culmina ....Spending on prescription pharmaceuticals is the fastest growing part of the health budget. In recent years attention has shifted to the impact of direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) on consumer demand and drug costs. Although DTCA is prohibited in Australia, it is clear that different types of DTCA are occurring. This study will examine the nature and range of DTCA, review the benefits and harms of DTCA, and identify the perspectives of major stakeholders regarding DTCA. The study will culminate in a national workshop which will develop a differentiated set of recommendations for responding to different types and modes of DTCA. This is likely to lead to better health policy and to resources that may assist consumers and health professionals deal with DTCA.Read moreRead less
Overall Australia provides an ideal environment for research into the public health effects of prostitution laws. The eight states and territories effectively provide eight 'natural experiments' in legal responses to prostitution - ranging from prohibition through almost complete decriminalisation, with varying degrees of regulation and control in between these extremes. This project will examine how different legal and police responses to prostitution may affect the health of sex workers. These ....Overall Australia provides an ideal environment for research into the public health effects of prostitution laws. The eight states and territories effectively provide eight 'natural experiments' in legal responses to prostitution - ranging from prohibition through almost complete decriminalisation, with varying degrees of regulation and control in between these extremes. This project will examine how different legal and police responses to prostitution may affect the health of sex workers. These variable legal contexts guarantee international interest in this research. in addition this research team has extensive experience - dating back up to 20 years - in successfully researching even the most marginalised elements of the sex industry in Australia. By the conclusion of the project we will have assessed sex worker access to health promotion programs, including health services, in three states. We will be able to provide authorities with insights into the effects of prostitution laws and the enforcement of those laws on the health and welfare of sex workers. This finding will inform future interventions with sex industries in Australia and globally.Read moreRead less
False Positives In The Diagnosis Of Sexually Transmitted Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$724,313.00
Summary
Chlamydia trachomatis causes sexually transmitted infections, and also the eye disease trachoma. The detection of Chlamydia in urine sample from a child can be seen as evidence for sexual abuse. We will assess the potential impacts of three mechanisms that could conceivably lead to urogenital Chlamydia diagnosis in a child in the absence of sexual abuse: contamination of the urogenital site with ocula Chlamydia, contamination of urine samples after collection, and diagnostic test malfunction.
This project aims to discover the nervous pathways and mechanisms in the brain that control body temperature. We hope to identify the nerve cells in the brain that detect increases in the core temperature of the body and determine the nervous pathways that project from them to increase blood flow to the skin when we become hot. This research may lead to a better understanding of heat exhaustion which is especially dangerous to the elderly.
After Hours Medical Care And Personal Safety Needs Of Urban General Practitioners
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$73,250.00
Summary
Experiences of violence and aggression are widespread within the health care field. Episodes of violence and aggression against general practitioners (GPs) in their working environment are not uncommon. These incidents frequently go unreported and the toll they take on GPs, on a personal as well as a professional level, is unknown. The frequency and severity of violence experienced by some health professionals is extreme. Such experiences may undermine the confidence and commitment of GPs and ma ....Experiences of violence and aggression are widespread within the health care field. Episodes of violence and aggression against general practitioners (GPs) in their working environment are not uncommon. These incidents frequently go unreported and the toll they take on GPs, on a personal as well as a professional level, is unknown. The frequency and severity of violence experienced by some health professionals is extreme. Such experiences may undermine the confidence and commitment of GPs and may inevitably have detrimental effects on health care services. Studies in the UK indicate that violence against general practitioners is increasing, violence against GPs in rural areas of Australia is also increasing but there have been no comparable studies carried out in our major cities. This research aims to ask general practitioners working in a range of different urban areas around NSW to describe their experiences of dealing with violent and aggressive patients. The study will be the first of its kind in Australia to provide an important insight into the level of violent and aggressive behaviour GPs are subjected to in city areas. One of the key areas of concern that has been reported in medical journals and the general press has been an increase in attacks on GPs making house-calls, this project will therefore be particularly focussed on GPs who provide after hours care. This study is important so in order to find out exactly what the incidence of violence against our urban general practitioners is, what type of violence is actually occurring, where it is occurring, who the perpetrators are, and also what the longer term psychological effects of abuse against general practitioners may be. The findings from this study will be used by the Commonwealth Government and Health Departments to plan better ways of providing after hours medical care. The findings may also be used to educate GPs and medical students about safety in the workplace.Read moreRead less