Social Aspects And Cultural Meanings Of Gynaecological Cancer Diagnosis, Treatment And Adjustment Of Victorian Women
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$158,500.00
Summary
Most research worldwide concerning gynaecological cancers has related to cervical cancer screening because of the effectiveness of Pap tests, while limited research has been conducted on social aspects of cancer. However, cancer of the uterus and ovary are among the top ten cancers in Australian women, and the diagnosis of a gynaecological cancer has a profound effect on women. This study is concerned with women's understandings of cancer disease, its treatment and outcomes, and with social fact ....Most research worldwide concerning gynaecological cancers has related to cervical cancer screening because of the effectiveness of Pap tests, while limited research has been conducted on social aspects of cancer. However, cancer of the uterus and ovary are among the top ten cancers in Australian women, and the diagnosis of a gynaecological cancer has a profound effect on women. This study is concerned with women's understandings of cancer disease, its treatment and outcomes, and with social factors that may influence their treatment decisions and care. The study will be conducted in metropolitan and rural Victoria. Women from a variety of ethnic, language and social backgrounds, who have been diagnosed with gynaecological cancer in the preceding three years, will be interviewed to gain insight into their understandings and experiences of the processes of disease, diagnosis and treatment procedures, the implications of for daily life, and the relationship of these events to their perceptions of their bodies, gender and sexuality. We will also interview oncologists and cancer support group facilitators, and participate in cancer support groups, to examine the role of such groups and to explore the experiences of health professionals providing care to women with these cancers. Research findings will be used to develop health educational information about gynaecological cancers, and to provide information to hospitals and clinicians to improve quality of clinical care and social support.Read moreRead less
Social Aspects Of Amputation Among An Aging Population In Urban And Rural Victoria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$251,742.00
Summary
In recent years, social scientists have shown increasing interest in how individual and social structural factors inter-relate to produce wellbeing. An associated interest has been the role of social networks and social support for individuals with chronic disease, enabling them to manage ongoing illness or impairment, live fulfilling lives and experience wellbeing. To explore these issues in an Australian context, this project focuses on people who have had amputations from trauma, advanced dis ....In recent years, social scientists have shown increasing interest in how individual and social structural factors inter-relate to produce wellbeing. An associated interest has been the role of social networks and social support for individuals with chronic disease, enabling them to manage ongoing illness or impairment, live fulfilling lives and experience wellbeing. To explore these issues in an Australian context, this project focuses on people who have had amputations from trauma, advanced disease (e.g. cancer) or complications of chronic disease (e.g. diabetes). The study aims to increase our understanding of how people live with particular diseases and health conditions, the impact of these conditions on body image, self-esteem, social relationships and societal participation, and how structural, contextual and environmental factors affect individual functioning and disability. By including people of different gender, ethnicity, age and area of residence, the study is concerned with how life circumstances and socialization (including ideas of gender) influence outcome. The findings will contribute to our knowledge of adaptation and provide information relevant to improved care for people from different backgrounds. The study is significant because of the increase in chronic disease (relative to infectious disease) in contemporary industrialised societies, particularly with an aging population. The policy context of this work is government interest in maximising the independence and wellbeing of people who are aged and-or with chronic disease, while minimising the economic costs. The research is also significant to international agencies and consumer organisations concerned with reducing discrimination against and inequality of people with impairments. The study will contribute to the WHO classification of disability, and efforts to promote and protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.Read moreRead less
Aboriginal Families Study: Closing The Gap In Indigenous Maternal And Child Health Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$981,590.00
Summary
This proposal addresses agreed targets for closing the gap in Indigenous disadvantage outlined by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) in the National Indigenous Reform Agenda. The Aboriginal Families Study will help to determine organisational and service level factors leading to better health outcomes for Aboriginal women and families during and after pregnancy and inform the implementation of COAG funded maternal and child health initiatives in South Australia and nationally
The Efficacy Of A Peer-to-peer Online Support Group And An Automated Self-help Internet Intervention For Depression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$476,855.00
Summary
Depression is the leading cause of disability in Australia. Many people do not receive professional help and prefer self help methods to antidepressants or face to face therapy. A significant number turn to Internet support groups. The Internet also has great potential for offering self-guided automated web-based therapy. This research investigates whether Internet support groups and self-help web therapy are helpful treatments for depression.
It is now well established that there are genetic factors contributing to risk of depression but it is far from clear what these are and how they interact with environmental risk factors such as stressful life events (SLE) and poor social support (SS). A recent, highly cited paper has claimed that those carrying a particular genotype at the sertonin transporter gene are much more badly affected by stressful life events than other genotypes, and that this puts these people at much higher risk of ....It is now well established that there are genetic factors contributing to risk of depression but it is far from clear what these are and how they interact with environmental risk factors such as stressful life events (SLE) and poor social support (SS). A recent, highly cited paper has claimed that those carrying a particular genotype at the sertonin transporter gene are much more badly affected by stressful life events than other genotypes, and that this puts these people at much higher risk of depression. If true, this could have important practical implications for preventative mental health, in identifying those at greatest risk if depression and counselling them to avoid stressful situations. However, success in replicating this finding has been mixed, and this is possibly because another important risk factor, social support, has not been taken into account. We have DNA samples from over 5000 twins who have been assessed for depression and risk factors including SLE and SS. This will give us unprecedented power to estimate the importance of the genotype x environment interaction. We shall also type other genes that have been implicated in depression and check for interactions with life events and social support. Our results will inform preventative strategies in mental health practice.Read moreRead less
Changing Decision-making Behaviour In General Practice By Providing Access To Online Evidence.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$206,375.00
Summary
The case for a shift to evidence-based practice, and the substantial economic and health outcome benefits of that shift, have been repeatedly made. Despite the vision, significant barriers to evidence-based practice remain, and the demonstration of a positive role for on-line systems would result in a significant change in strategies for clinician behaviour change. This study will make a specific and significant contribution to our understanding of the efficacy and effectiveness of online eviden ....The case for a shift to evidence-based practice, and the substantial economic and health outcome benefits of that shift, have been repeatedly made. Despite the vision, significant barriers to evidence-based practice remain, and the demonstration of a positive role for on-line systems would result in a significant change in strategies for clinician behaviour change. This study will make a specific and significant contribution to our understanding of the efficacy and effectiveness of online evidence retrieval systems as a component in any evidence-based strategy, through a rigorous and controlled approach to the study of clinical behaviour change. It will also provide a powerful test of the value of search filters as a specific technology in support of evidence retrieval. The focus on prescribing patterns in NHMRC priority areas as an outcome measure will also provide a significant data set reflecting current practice in primary care.Read moreRead less
Predicting And Promoting Improved Long Term Adjustment For Men With Localised Prostate Cancer: ProsCan
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$307,407.00
Summary
In the western world prostate cancer is the most common male cancer and the second most common cause of cancer death. Currently, the most contentious public health issue regarding prostate cancer is uncertainty about the benefits of diagnosing and treating prostate cancer at a localised stage. Prostate cancer is heterogeneous and the risk of morbidity and mortality from localised disease is difficult to quantify owing to the cancer's relatively slow growth rate. Thus, after the diagnosis of loca ....In the western world prostate cancer is the most common male cancer and the second most common cause of cancer death. Currently, the most contentious public health issue regarding prostate cancer is uncertainty about the benefits of diagnosing and treating prostate cancer at a localised stage. Prostate cancer is heterogeneous and the risk of morbidity and mortality from localised disease is difficult to quantify owing to the cancer's relatively slow growth rate. Thus, after the diagnosis of localised prostate cancer it is recommended that all men be advised of three possible treatment options at a minimum: watchful waiting, radiation therapy, or radical prostatectomy. Most men prefer active involvement in the treatment decision, however many find this difficult due to uncertainty about the likely survival gain; significant treatment side effects and ambiguous risk probabilities for these effects. While prostate cancer is common, mortality is low with most men surviving 10 years. This means quality of life after prostate cancer is a critical issue. Survivorship concerns for this patient group include fears about cancer recurrence; managing physical effects of treatments; and social effects such as disruption to daily living. Men seek help less for psychological difficulties than do women. Accessible and well targeted support services for men are critical. This project aims to identify men who after the diagnosis of localised prostate cancer are at risk of poorer psychosocial adjustment over the long term and to assess the effectiveness of a psychosocial and decision support intervention in improving their long term outcomes. Identification of predictors of men's adjustment over time and of effective ways to promote optimal long term outcomes are important research questions that are as yet unanswered. The present research will be the first of its kind internationally to address these questions.Read moreRead less
Evaluation Of Family Well Being Empowerment Program: A Participatory Action Research Initiative
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$487,920.00
Summary
We have shown that family well being empowerment training in Indigenous communities can significantly enhance program participants' sense of control and responsibility for the conditions affecting their health and well being (Tsey and Every, 2000a;Tsey and Every, 2000b). Following this, there has been a great deal of interest and demand for the family well being program not only in Indigenous Australia, but also among Maori people in New Zealand. Presently, we are involved in four collaborative ....We have shown that family well being empowerment training in Indigenous communities can significantly enhance program participants' sense of control and responsibility for the conditions affecting their health and well being (Tsey and Every, 2000a;Tsey and Every, 2000b). Following this, there has been a great deal of interest and demand for the family well being program not only in Indigenous Australia, but also among Maori people in New Zealand. Presently, we are involved in four collaborative initiatives with indigenous communities in response to growing interest and demand for the program. The current proposal is a joint initiative between University of Queensland, Apunipima Cape York Health Council and Gurriny Yealamucka Health Services which aims to: a. Consolidate and extend the existing family well being initiatives in Hopevale and Yarrabah to two other north Queensland communities (yet to be selected from several that have expressed an interest), using a participatory action research process b. Undertake a meta evaluation of outcomes across all four sites This proposal aims to increase our understanding about ways in which individuals and groups of people can be better supported in their efforts to bring about changes in personal and social life.Read moreRead less