Development, Validation And Implementation Of A Technical And Non-technical Skills Training Curriculum For Laparoscopic Appendicectomy Surgery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$41,237.00
Summary
A structured training curriculum will be developed that can teach novice surgeons in key surgical and decision-making skills required for laparoscopic appendectomy surgery (key-hole removal of the appendix). An assessment tool that can quantitatively evaluate performance during a laparoscopic appendectomy will be developed. Using this, the ability of the developed training curriculum to improve the performance of trainee surgeons during actual laparoscopic appendectomy surgery will be evaluated.
Anatomy, Epidemiology And Aetiology Of Tricuspid Valve Disease And Its Impact On The Development Of Emerging Transcatheter Therapies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$88,662.00
Summary
Tricuspid valve disease is common, associated with poor prognosis and has few available treatment options. The aim of this project is to improve our understanding of the burden of tricuspid valve disease, and the factors that drive its occurrence and progression. We also aim to improve our practice of pacemaker/defibrillator insertion (which can injury the tricuspid valve). Our investigations will help inform improvement in the treatment of this condition, including minimally invasive options.
For Every Question, There Is An Answer: Application Of Genomic Sequencing And Functional Genomics For Disease Gene Discovery In Children With Orphan Phenotypes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$99,682.00
Summary
My PhD study will look closely at the genes in a family to see what is different and whether this difference is the cause of rare health problems. I will focus on children with highly unique conditions in which intellectual disability/developmental delay is a key feature. My study is important because if I can find the exact cause of rare genetic conditions, then I hope to improve the welfare of patients and families affected by these types of conditions.
Feasibility Of Using Pre-hospital Point-of-care Troponin And Paramedic Risk Assessment In Patients With Chest Pain Without ST-elevation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$132,743.00
Summary
Non-traumatic chest pain is the leading cause of ambulance services use in Victoria. Currently, there is no protocol for paramedics to determine which patients are high risk and suffering a minor heart attack, which results in delays in treatment. The aim of this project is to assess the feasibility of a risk assessment tool, including the use of point-of-care blood testing to detect heart attacks, to accurately risk stratify chest pain patients in the pre-hospital setting.
Up to 80% of out of hospital cardiac arrest patients do not receive bystander CPR –often because those at the scene do not have the required skills. Without immediate action the condition is fatal. Through my doctoral research I aim to investigate the best methods for providing a targeted approach of training basic life support to a group at high risk of these events -cardiac patients. I plan to develop and test the feasibility of incorporating this training into cardiac rehabilitation programs.
The Pen, Or Is It The Spoken Word, That Is Mightier Than The Sword. A Study Focussed On Defining, Teaching And Assessing Skills In Effective And Therapeutic Communication
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$125,503.00
Summary
The aim of this research is to define the essential elements in effective and helpful health professional communication, convert these elements to measurable learning objectives, develop a valid method to assess competency and evaluate change that occurs when students participate in programs designed to develop communication competencies. (500 character limit including spaces and line breaks)
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is fatal without immediate resuscitation. Paramedic competency in resuscitation has been shown to influence cardiac arrest survival. Through my doctoral research I aim to investigate: how paramedic exposure to cardiac arrest can influence patient survival; the practices emergency medical services currently use to develop and maintain paramedic competency in resuscitation; and the confidence and perceived competency of paramedics responding to cardiac arrests.
Personalised Treatment In Melanoma: Matching Optimal Drug Therapies For Individual Patients To Improve Survival.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$132,743.00
Summary
The best treatment for melanoma currently is immunotherapy. However, most patients become resistant to immunotherapy after an initial response. When this occurs, patients are treated with new medications, often in a clinical trial. Unfortunately, doctors cannot predict if a patient is going to respond to a particular new treatment. This project will study the makeup of individual melanomas and use this to recommend which new treatment is most likely to work for the patient.
Low back pain is a major global health problem and the leading cause of disability worldwide . This project will trial a new treatment for back pain that is specifically aimed at risk factors for developing ongoing back problems. Previously shown to be successful in patients suffering persistent back problems, this promising new treatment will be trialled in patients soon after they develop lower back pain as a preventative approach.
Application Of Machine Learning Techniques To Disease Surveillance To Identify Risk Groups For Blood Borne Viruses And Sexually Transmissible Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$76,365.00
Summary
Electronic medical records from general practice are used to provide clinically detailed disease surveillance data to inform public health decisions. Risk factor information is not systematically recorded making it difficult to identify risk groups using these data. This PhD will improve surveillance by applying new data science methods to de-identified electronic medical records from general practice to better identify risk groups for blood borne viruses and sexually transmissible infections.