Theory and applications of Bayesian and likelihood analyses for finite mixture, random effect and multinomial models. The expected outcomes of the project are: to establish the scientific
value of modern Bayesian methods for statistical inference in a wider
range of applications than previously available, to contribute to the greater unification of the current theories of statistical inference which are to some extent in conflict, and to provide a set of Bayesian analytic tools implemented in ....Theory and applications of Bayesian and likelihood analyses for finite mixture, random effect and multinomial models. The expected outcomes of the project are: to establish the scientific
value of modern Bayesian methods for statistical inference in a wider
range of applications than previously available, to contribute to the greater unification of the current theories of statistical inference which are to some extent in conflict, and to provide a set of Bayesian analytic tools implemented in widely available, free and open-source statistical software.
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Modelling patient flows through hospitals: optimizing effective use of resources. Hospitals are complex, dynamic systems confronted by increased demand in the face of shrinking real capacity. Managing such systems is currently undertaken with sub-optimal analytical support, particularly when demand and capacity are changing and resources must be manipulated to respond to such changes. In this project, the investigators will apply a mathematical modelling approach to the analysis of hospital pati ....Modelling patient flows through hospitals: optimizing effective use of resources. Hospitals are complex, dynamic systems confronted by increased demand in the face of shrinking real capacity. Managing such systems is currently undertaken with sub-optimal analytical support, particularly when demand and capacity are changing and resources must be manipulated to respond to such changes. In this project, the investigators will apply a mathematical modelling approach to the analysis of hospital patient flows. Furthermore, they will employ statistical process control methodologies to the problem of recognising and responding to changes in the flows, so that performance objectives are met. In doing this, they will give health service managers and clinicians a significant advantage in deciding how best to manage a constrained resource to maximize access, throughput and patient outcomes.Read moreRead less
Community-Led Sanitation Interventions :The Role of Social Capital. The economic and social wellbeing of its neighbours is important for Australia. This interest is often expressed through financial aid and the sharing of expertise. This research aims to enhance the effectiveness of financial aid by investigating the extent to which social capital is important in determining the success of a community-led development project. Thus, this research contributes to a body of knowledge that informs d ....Community-Led Sanitation Interventions :The Role of Social Capital. The economic and social wellbeing of its neighbours is important for Australia. This interest is often expressed through financial aid and the sharing of expertise. This research aims to enhance the effectiveness of financial aid by investigating the extent to which social capital is important in determining the success of a community-led development project. Thus, this research contributes to a body of knowledge that informs development policy, leading to more effective use of aid funds and to a more prosperous and safe region.
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Blended payment systems for doctors: evaluation of an experiment. The results of the study will provide new evidence for health care policy makers in Australia (and internationally) on the effects of changing the remuneration system for GPs on the costs and quality of health care provided. The study will examine effects in the national priority and national health priority areas of preventive health care and chronic disease. The results will be relevant to other countries, such as the US and U ....Blended payment systems for doctors: evaluation of an experiment. The results of the study will provide new evidence for health care policy makers in Australia (and internationally) on the effects of changing the remuneration system for GPs on the costs and quality of health care provided. The study will examine effects in the national priority and national health priority areas of preventive health care and chronic disease. The results will be relevant to other countries, such as the US and UK, where blended payments schemes exist for GPs but have not been evaluated. Read moreRead less
Genetic Identity Testing and the Family: the articulation between biotechnology and family relationships, politics and policy. Genetic identity testing cuts to the very nature of the family itself. For the first time in human history, it is possible to identify paternity - and misattributed paternity - with reasonable certainty. Parentage testing has become a vehicle for the fathers? rights movement, and is influencing the management of child support policy. Governments are currently developing ....Genetic Identity Testing and the Family: the articulation between biotechnology and family relationships, politics and policy. Genetic identity testing cuts to the very nature of the family itself. For the first time in human history, it is possible to identify paternity - and misattributed paternity - with reasonable certainty. Parentage testing has become a vehicle for the fathers? rights movement, and is influencing the management of child support policy. Governments are currently developing broad policy frameworks on this issue. Yet there is almost no social research on parentage testing. This study will provide scope for Australian leadership in an area of study that will become progressively more important with the rapid development of DNA chip technology. Read moreRead less
Valuing Life and Time in the Knowledge Economy. This project will help increase the international profile of Australia scholarship in a burgeoning research area of increasing importance: valuation of life, time and health with particular emphasis on the effects of aging and the accumulation of knowledge. It will generate new insights and important welfare and policy implications, which are especially of interest to a knowledge economy like Australia, in which the demographic profile is experienc ....Valuing Life and Time in the Knowledge Economy. This project will help increase the international profile of Australia scholarship in a burgeoning research area of increasing importance: valuation of life, time and health with particular emphasis on the effects of aging and the accumulation of knowledge. It will generate new insights and important welfare and policy implications, which are especially of interest to a knowledge economy like Australia, in which the demographic profile is experiencing a fundamental shift toward unprecedentedly high percentage of the aged population. Read moreRead less
Modelling Inequalities in Health in Australia in the Area of Obesity. This research will contribute to a body of knowledge that informs government policy and falls under a National Research Priority - Promoting and Maintaining Good Health. Obesity is a serious health problem among adult Australians and the situation is likely to worsen if left unchecked. The first task in addressing this issue is to identify who is at risk. In this project we will use multiple and robust techniques to examine t ....Modelling Inequalities in Health in Australia in the Area of Obesity. This research will contribute to a body of knowledge that informs government policy and falls under a National Research Priority - Promoting and Maintaining Good Health. Obesity is a serious health problem among adult Australians and the situation is likely to worsen if left unchecked. The first task in addressing this issue is to identify who is at risk. In this project we will use multiple and robust techniques to examine this issue. Our research will therefore help in targeting public resources to those that can really benefit, as we hypothesise markets in health do not clear efficiently for a multitude of reasons. Read moreRead less
Development of a Value of Life Framework to Assist Priority Setting Decision Making Across Sectors. The techniques used to evaluate life-saving interventions differ between health and other sectors. In health cost-effectiveness or cost-utility anlaysis is common, avoiding specification of a value for life. In contrast the transport and environment sectors use cost-benefit analysis and value life in monetary terms. This duality of approaches has resulted in a lower implicit value of life in th ....Development of a Value of Life Framework to Assist Priority Setting Decision Making Across Sectors. The techniques used to evaluate life-saving interventions differ between health and other sectors. In health cost-effectiveness or cost-utility anlaysis is common, avoiding specification of a value for life. In contrast the transport and environment sectors use cost-benefit analysis and value life in monetary terms. This duality of approaches has resulted in a lower implicit value of life in the health sector. The research will explore these differences and attempt to identify key attributes that influence how life is valued, to provide a framework for a single approach to the valuation of life, and the more efficient allocation of resources cross-sectorally.Read moreRead less
Health Production Functions: Effects of Socioeconomic and Lifestyle Factors on Health Status. Improving the health and wellbeing of individuals is a priority for the Australian government. Empirical knowledge on the determinants of health is crucial for effective allocation of public health funds. We propose a thorough economic investigation into the interrelationships between self-assessed health, chronic conditions, obesity, private insurance status, and socioeconomic and lifestyle factors, us ....Health Production Functions: Effects of Socioeconomic and Lifestyle Factors on Health Status. Improving the health and wellbeing of individuals is a priority for the Australian government. Empirical knowledge on the determinants of health is crucial for effective allocation of public health funds. We propose a thorough economic investigation into the interrelationships between self-assessed health, chronic conditions, obesity, private insurance status, and socioeconomic and lifestyle factors, using advanced microeconometric techniques and comprehensive national and Victorian health surveys. We will link the micro-level findings to economic and policy implications for the Australian health sector and society. The research will be valuable in the design and evaluation of health promotion programs.Read moreRead less
Incentives and performance in the health care system. Changes in financial incentives for health care providers will have direct effects on their behaviour, which in turn influences patients' health outcomes, quality of care, and access to health care for the population. The research will provide a richer understanding of the effects of incentives, and will influence policy on the design of incentives for health care providers in Australia. Changes in incentives will ensure patients receive mo ....Incentives and performance in the health care system. Changes in financial incentives for health care providers will have direct effects on their behaviour, which in turn influences patients' health outcomes, quality of care, and access to health care for the population. The research will provide a richer understanding of the effects of incentives, and will influence policy on the design of incentives for health care providers in Australia. Changes in incentives will ensure patients receive more appropriate, higher quality, and less costly health care, in the most appropriate settings, and delivered by the most appropriate health care providers. This will have direct effects on population health and well-being and the capacity of individuals to lead healthy and productive lives.Read moreRead less