Improving The Communication Of People With Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A Clinical Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$448,293.00
Summary
Traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of disability in young Australians, and is particularly prevalent in young men. The condition disturbs thinking and problem solving. Ultimately, these problems manifest in impaired verbal communication. Communication problems following traumatic brain injury can make critical relationships-such as father, husband, and employee-impossible to sustain. Those affected are socially inappropriate and uncomfortable to be around, which causes a lifetime of los ....Traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of disability in young Australians, and is particularly prevalent in young men. The condition disturbs thinking and problem solving. Ultimately, these problems manifest in impaired verbal communication. Communication problems following traumatic brain injury can make critical relationships-such as father, husband, and employee-impossible to sustain. Those affected are socially inappropriate and uncomfortable to be around, which causes a lifetime of lost friendships, unemployability, and social isolation. Minimisation of these lifelong effects is of the utmost importance to the health of those affected, and is critical to reducing the economic burden of the condition. Two approaches have been shown to improve the communication of those with traumatic brain injury. Training in social skills is helpful, as is training partners to deal with difficult communication behaviours. However, to date, no research has concurrently studied these two approaches to rehabilitation. Consequently, it is unknown whether best results are achieved with either one of the two methods, or both. The present project uses a clinical trials approach in an innovative evaluation of three methods of treating those with traumatic brain injury compared with a control group. The trial involves the conceptual advances of including cost effectiveness of treatment as an outcome measure, and inclusion of advanced methods to measure the intricacies of verbal communication. The multidisciplinary team of Chief Investigators has international track records in the requisite disciplines for the study of traumatic brain injury and its rehabilitation.Read moreRead less
MOSAIC: A GP Cluster Randomised Trial To Reduce Partner Violence Among Pregnant Women And Women With Pre-school Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$432,250.00
Summary
Intimate partner abuse or domestic violence is common and damaging for women in the early childbearing years. It has a negative effect on the mental and physical health of women and their children. Because of poor health, victimised women and children are frequent attenders to family doctors (GPs), but doctors face many barriers in making an effective response. One of these barriers is the critical absence of evidence for what would help women attending GPs in dealing with partner abuse. This is ....Intimate partner abuse or domestic violence is common and damaging for women in the early childbearing years. It has a negative effect on the mental and physical health of women and their children. Because of poor health, victimised women and children are frequent attenders to family doctors (GPs), but doctors face many barriers in making an effective response. One of these barriers is the critical absence of evidence for what would help women attending GPs in dealing with partner abuse. This is vital to inform both GP training and clinical practice. There is sound evidence that home visiting or support by peers improves the health of disadvantaged mothers and children. Similarly, advocacy improves the health and wellbeing of abused women. The MOSAIC community intervention trial combines these two elements: home visiting-peer support and domestic violence advocacy and this strategy will be evaluated in a randomised trial. The trial aims to reduce partner abuse and depression among women pregnant or with children under 5 attending GPs. It also aims to strengthen mother-child bonds. Trained and supported GPs from 40 participating practices will identify 700 abused or at risk women over a 40 week period. Women in the intervention arm of the trial, identified as abused or at risk by their GPs will be offered the support of trained para-professional 'mentor mothers' for up to a year, while the comparison arm will be offered standard GP care. Recent funding allows a pilot study of mentor mother recruitment and training to be undertaken in 2003. The study will strengthen GP support for this difficult issue and build a 'critical mass' of GPs interested in partner abuse management in the 5 participating divisions. The MOSAIC study will assess the value to GPs and women of an enhanced support system for victims' care and provide much needed evidence of an intervention embedded in general practice to reduce partner abuse of pregnant women and women with young children.Read moreRead less
Characterisation Of A Type V Secretion In Escherichia Coli And Determining Its Role In Pathogenesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$73,195.00
Summary
Disease causing bacteria assemble secretion systems to assist with colonisation, persistence and destruction of host tissue. These systems have been categorised as Type I to Type VI. A comprehensive understanding of these secretion systems, is of paramount importance for a complete understanding of bacterial pathogenesis. We will investigate the role of a novel Type V secretion system conserved amongst many human pathogens.
Assessment Of The Training And Extension Needs Of The Australian Fishing Industry
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Objectives: 1. Investigate and report on the training needs of the Australian fishing industry; document the action necessary ... 2. to meet those needs
BRAIN Training Trial: Balance, Resistance, Or INterval Training Trial: A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Three Exercise Modalities In Mild Cognitive Impairment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,016,192.00
Summary
About 10% of older adults have mild changes in memory or thinking (Mild Cognitive Impairment, or MCI) which don’t interfere with daily life, but increase the risk of dementia. Exercise may improve thinking abilities, but the best kind of exercise is not clear. We will randomise 530 older adults with MCI in Australia, Canada, and Israel to weight lifting, high intensity aerobic training or toning exercises for 12 months to see which prescription is best for brain health and overall function.
The Three M's Project - Mentors, Mentorees And Mentoring Seafood Project
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$115,277.00
Summary
The need for this project has been suggested in the above sections but there is further evidence of need provided by the goals of the FRDC’s People Development Program. The program states the need to develop the capabilities of the people through building capacity through an Industry Mentoring Development and Management Project.
This project will directly contribute to the delivery of the People Development Program 2008 – 2013 prepared for FRDC by Jo-Anne Ruscoe. The Industry Leaders En ....The need for this project has been suggested in the above sections but there is further evidence of need provided by the goals of the FRDC’s People Development Program. The program states the need to develop the capabilities of the people through building capacity through an Industry Mentoring Development and Management Project.
This project will directly contribute to the delivery of the People Development Program 2008 – 2013 prepared for FRDC by Jo-Anne Ruscoe. The Industry Leaders Enhancement Project will ensure outputs that address some of the goals and objectives of the People Development Program:
1. enhance industry leadership within all sectors; 2. build industry capacity to drive change to achieve goals
The Industry Leaders Enhancement Project has parallel drivers and will specifically address
1. The shortage of industry leaders in all sectors of the fishing industry. 2. The need to develop people within all sectors who have the skills to effectively contribute to debate and policy development for significant challenges, including access to fish resources. 3. The opportunities for people in industry to develop skills that are going to directly improve business profitability and sustainability. 4. The contribution in the uptake of formal training, and in particular apprenticeships. 5. The enhanced knowledge of decision makers in a complex industry through accurate information and knowledge.
The project will also respond to the identified impediments to individuals taking on representational and leadership roles at local and sector levels and will specifically skill individuals through learning, mentoring and industry leadership community building to overcome obstacles to success. Objectives: 1. To build a database of mentors – within and beyond the seafood industry for mentorees within the seafood industry 2. To build the above database after initial information has been provided to interested individuals – information to include mentoring philosophy, mentoring processes and three year timeline commitment document. 3. To provide 2009 NSILP participants and 2008 graduates with the initial opportunity to engage in the mentoring process. Each mentoree to be involved for 12 months with a commitment to full evaluation 2009 – 2010 4. To grow the mentoring process by opening up opportunities to all graduates from the program to be mentors and/or mentorees. 5. To provide guidance to enhance the mentoring relationships to ensure the encouragement of leadership roles and responsibilities are increased at all levels of the seafood industry by 2011 Read moreRead less