Confirming The Burden Of Disease Associated With Dementia Using New Empirically Driven Australian Based Disability Rati
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$138,084.00
Summary
The amount of burden the population experiences as a result of individual diseases influences health policy. The Australian Burden of Disease project quantifies the relative burden associated with each disease. New estimates are to be released this year will outline the magnitude of burden associated with dementia now and estimate that for the year 2023. Although the projections use the best data available, three improvements to the methodology would improve the accuracy of the dementia burden e ....The amount of burden the population experiences as a result of individual diseases influences health policy. The Australian Burden of Disease project quantifies the relative burden associated with each disease. New estimates are to be released this year will outline the magnitude of burden associated with dementia now and estimate that for the year 2023. Although the projections use the best data available, three improvements to the methodology would improve the accuracy of the dementia burden estimates. First, the dementia calculations currently use a “disability weight” metric derived from a Dutch study. This is problematic in that the weights do not reflect an Australian experience of dementia, nor do they reflect the preferences of people closely affected by the disease (e.g. carers). Second, the dementia estimates do not include cases of mild cognitive impairment (considered a precursor state of dementia). Hence the dementia estimates may not estimate the full impact of dementia in Australia. Finally, there is no evidence that the method used by the Burden of Disease study to account for the impact of disease comorbidity adequately deals with the comorbidity associated with dementia. Consequently, there is need to develop a new and comprehensive set of disability weights for dementia that are Australian-based, include all stages of dementia severity and account for comorbidity. The proposed project aims to develop a new set of empirically derived Australian-based disability weights for dementia. The project will entail three studies. The first study will generate empirically based case vignettes that describe a range of dementia case scenarios. These descriptions will then be used in rating exercises (Study 2) to develop new disability weights. The second study involves Australian health practitioners, carers and lay persons reading case vignettes and completing health valuation rating exercises to generate new disability weights for dementia. The third study uses the new disability weights to re-calculate the burden of disease estimates for dementia. The new estimates will be compared to those reported by the 2007 Australian Burden of Disease project. In knowing the accuracy of the estimates, policy makers can use the burden data for dementia with confidence when engaging in service planning for the future.Read moreRead less
Developing And Testing A Pain Management Program For Family Caregivers Of Advanced Cancer Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$119,500.00
Summary
To improve cancer patients' and family carers' knowledge and attitudes about pain management. A secondary aim is to examine the effect of a pain education program (PEP) on patients' actual pain experiences. This study builds on pilot data indicating that a pain education program (PEP) for family carers of cancer patients in a home based palliative service is effective in improving family carers' knowledge of pain management and family carers' attitudes toward managing the patient's pain. The PEP ....To improve cancer patients' and family carers' knowledge and attitudes about pain management. A secondary aim is to examine the effect of a pain education program (PEP) on patients' actual pain experiences. This study builds on pilot data indicating that a pain education program (PEP) for family carers of cancer patients in a home based palliative service is effective in improving family carers' knowledge of pain management and family carers' attitudes toward managing the patient's pain. The PEP will be tested with both patients with progressive or recurrent cancer and their family carers, taking into account three recommendations arising from the pilot study: Both patients and family carers should be included in the education sessions to ensure that they receive the same information because the attitudes and behaviours of those close to the patient can directly influence outcomes; Recruitment should occur at an early stage of the illness rather than the palliative stage so that patients will be well enough to participate in the education sessions and the information provided will be useful for a longer period of time; Education sessions should be short and be delivered in the outpatient oncology settings, which is more cost-effective and typical of the way that the intervention will be delivered in practice, if found to be effective.Read moreRead less
Keeping Kids On Track: An Initiative Developing The Resilience Of Aboriginal Students During A Critical Transition Phase
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,430,435.00
Summary
This initiative aims to build Indigenous children�s capacity to cope with life�s challenges and promote resilience through social and emotional skill development, cognitive development, community engagement and appropriate health provision. This will build children�s capacity as improved educational and employment outcomes accrue in the longer term. A model of the process will be developed. Indigenous researchers and community members will take part in governance and conduct of the study.
A Randomised Clinical Trial To Test A Pain Education Program For Patients With Cancer And Their Family Carers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$150,000.00
Summary
This study seeks to improve cancer patients' and family carers' knowledge and attitudes toward pain management. A pain education program will be offered to patients with recurrent or progressive cancer and their primary family carers. The study addresses a palliative care concern that impacts upon a large number of Australians each year. The study has the potential to provide a brief, standardised protocol that could be taught and integrated into usual practice and to reduce health care costs fo ....This study seeks to improve cancer patients' and family carers' knowledge and attitudes toward pain management. A pain education program will be offered to patients with recurrent or progressive cancer and their primary family carers. The study addresses a palliative care concern that impacts upon a large number of Australians each year. The study has the potential to provide a brief, standardised protocol that could be taught and integrated into usual practice and to reduce health care costs for advanced cancer patients.Read moreRead less
Pall Care Approaches For Pain Management Education Among Care Assistants Residential Aged Care Hostels: A Feasiblity Stu
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$25,000.00
Summary
Pain is a devastating symptom that seriously diminishes quality of life1, yet few care assistants in residential aged care hostels are familiar with the principles of palliative care2. This project seeks to explore the feasibility of palliative approaches as a framework for developing a pain education program for these workers. The study will identify: required levels of knowledge; appropriate educational strategies; barriers to learning; best methods for evaluating programs; and cost implicatio ....Pain is a devastating symptom that seriously diminishes quality of life1, yet few care assistants in residential aged care hostels are familiar with the principles of palliative care2. This project seeks to explore the feasibility of palliative approaches as a framework for developing a pain education program for these workers. The study will identify: required levels of knowledge; appropriate educational strategies; barriers to learning; best methods for evaluating programs; and cost implications of providing pain management education in the hostel settings.Read moreRead less
Identification Of The Palliative Care Needs Of Home-based People With End-stage Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$50,000.00
Summary
This project seeks to identify the palliative care needs of home-based people with end-stage dementia. Although the need for home-based palliative care may apply to people with dementia as well as to those with cancer and other terminal illnesses, few people with end-stage dementia receive such care. For this reason, people with dementia may experience suffering and unmet needs towards the end of life. The proposed research is important because as the population ages and the prevalence of dement ....This project seeks to identify the palliative care needs of home-based people with end-stage dementia. Although the need for home-based palliative care may apply to people with dementia as well as to those with cancer and other terminal illnesses, few people with end-stage dementia receive such care. For this reason, people with dementia may experience suffering and unmet needs towards the end of life. The proposed research is important because as the population ages and the prevalence of dementia increases, home-based care will be the preferred option for many people. Palliative care practice however is not necessarily transferable between cancer care and dementia care. The needs of people with end-stage dementia may be different to those of people with cancers because of the different trajectories and symptoms experienced. There is evidence to suggest that a palliative care approach in dementia is favoured by formal and informal carers, however the preferences of people with dementia are not known. Understanding the palliative care needs of home-based people with end-stage dementia, carers and care providers is required, hence the motivation for this inquiry.Read moreRead less
Dementia Literacy In Greek, Italian And Chinese Australians
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$228,473.00
Summary
The dementia knowledge and beliefs of persons from Italian, Greek and Chinese backgrounds will be compared to third generation Australians. Five hundred persons from each group will be randomly selected from around Australia to be surveyed by telephone. Questions will assess whether dementia symptoms are recognised, what these persons think causes dementia, where they would go for help, how likely they are to use aged care services and stigma towards persons with dementia. Focus groups will be c ....The dementia knowledge and beliefs of persons from Italian, Greek and Chinese backgrounds will be compared to third generation Australians. Five hundred persons from each group will be randomly selected from around Australia to be surveyed by telephone. Questions will assess whether dementia symptoms are recognised, what these persons think causes dementia, where they would go for help, how likely they are to use aged care services and stigma towards persons with dementia. Focus groups will be conducted to identify barriers to service use and identify methods to improve dementia knowledge in Italian, Greek and Chinese groups. This information will be used to improve community education and service delivery for persons with dementia from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The Primary Dementia Collaborative Research Centre at the University of NSW, NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service and Alzheimer’s Australia are partners in this research.Read moreRead less