The Value Of Osteoporosis Interventions: Evaluating The Cost-effectiveness And Incorporating Patients’ Preference
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Osteoporosis (OP) poses substantial disease and economic burden. Many medications are publicly available and subsidized in Australia, and many new medications are on the horizon. Their value for money, however, is questionable without solid health economic evidence. In addition, patient preference for OP treatment is not well understood. My project is to develop a global health economics model to identify cost-effective treatments, and to elicit patient preference for different OP treatments.
Application Of Genomic Technologies For The Diagnosis And Management Of Genetic Heart Diseases.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$438,768.00
Summary
The purpose of this research study is to investigate clinical and genetic factors which may predispose to important cardiac events such as dangerous arrhythmias, heart failure, heart transplantation or sudden cardiac death in patients with genetic heart diseases. It is possible that there are important risk factors or genetic findings which may be identified either through newer technologies which help cardiologists determine which patients and families are most at risk.
Improving Nurse-administered Sedation Practice In The Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,891.00
Summary
This research will provide evidence to inform nursing management of the potentially life-threatening complications that are associated with the administration of sedation in the cardiac catheterisation laboratory. Three studies will be conducted: an investigation of the prevalence and risk factors of hypothermia after sedation; a randomised controlled trial of active warming to prevent hypothermia; and a study to determine whether audit and feedback improves patient safety during sedation.
High-risk Doctors: Early Identification And Intervention To Protect Patients From Harm
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$224,786.00
Summary
When a doctor's health or performance falters, patient safety may be placed at risk. Previous research tells us that some doctors are at higher risk of running into difficulty than others. Regulators, like the Medical Board, collect masses of information, but this information is rarely used to try and identify and intervene early BEFORE harm occurs. Our research seeks to change this by identifying which doctors are at greatest risk and why, and how they can be supported back into safe practice.
Improving Warfarin Management- Identifying Risk Factors For Bleeding And Improving Monitoring Mechanisms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$291,309.00
Summary
Warfarin is a drug commonly used in the elderly to prevent blood clots. While a very effective drug, it is also a dangerous drug and should be closely monitored. While we know many of the reasons why problems occur, we do not know whether organisation of care, mental health or social issues such as community support influence how well warfarin is managed. These are important questions to answer, so that we can make significant inroads into preventing death and disability from warfarin.
Investigating The Utility Of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Of Beta-lactam Antibiotics In Hospitalised Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$215,887.00
Summary
The appropriate dosing of antibiotics for patients admitted to hospital is based on broad guidelines derived from studies in healthy volunteers or in patients that may have different types of infections. Minor changes in the clinical state of the patients can require significant dosing adjustments. The best way to guarantee appropriate antibiotic therapy is to individualize doses based on blood concentration data. We aim to determine the utility of dose adjustment in hospitalized patients.
TOWARDS IMPROVING EARLY PERITONEAL DIALYSIS OUTCOMES
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$189,384.00
Summary
The burden of kidney disease requiring dialysis is substantial in Australia. Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) is a cost effective method of performing dialysis, which provides greater quality of life and patient satisfaction than Haemodialysis (HD). Unfortunately PD is underused and has a high discontinuation rate among patients. This program of research will target important areas of PD practice aimed at improving the uptake and continuation of PD for patients with kidney disease requiring dialysis.
Premature Cardiovascular Death In Women After Hypertensive Pregnancy: Altering This Trajectory
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$189,384.00
Summary
Women with preeclampsia, the “high blood pressure disease of pregnancy” also have at least double the long-term risk of the biggest killers of Australian women, heart attacks and stroke. This research program aims to (a) identify high-risk women in the first year after preeclampsia (b) develop educational programs for patients and doctors to increase understanding of long-term risks of and promote appropriate follow-up (c) trial potential treatments to reduce long-term risk.