Improving Research Evidence Quality Using Individual Patient Data, Prospective Meta-analysis And Trial Registration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$387,489.00
Summary
The quality of evidence we use to make health care decisions can be improved if we use systematic reviews that are planned ahead, that use raw data from each participant and include all the trials that have looked at the clinical problem. This research program will utilise these three ways of obtaining better quality data and will thus make research results more reliable. In particular, we will use these techniques to address health problems in mothers and babies.
Fluid resuscitation is widely used in the management of critically ill patients. There are a variety of different fluids available to doctors but there is little evidence regarding how effective they are. One of the most commonly used fluids, a hydroxyethyl starch was recently approved by the TGA for use in Australia. This project aims to compare how effective and safe this fluid is compared to another widely used fluid, saline, for resuscitation of critically ill patients in intensive care.
Increasing Value, Reducing Waste From Incomplete Or Unusable Reports Of Medical Research
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$788,486.00
Summary
We estimated that the avoidable waste in research - from design flaws, non-publication, and inadequate reporting - results in over $85 Billion annual loss. I will research innovations to reduce this waste. My focus is particularly on non-drug interventions - exercises, dietary changes, self-monitoring, e-health applications – which are often effective but more difficult to use in clinical practice, and being compiled in my recently founded Handbook of Non-Drug Interventions (see RACGP website).
ADding Negative PRESSure To Improve HealING (the DRESSING Trial)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,380,446.00
Summary
The aim of this 5-year randomised comtrolled trial is to test the clinical and cost effectiveness of vacuum dressings in reducing the incidence of surgical site infection in obese women undergoing elective and semi-urgent caesarian section. The trial will be conducted at 4 hospitals in south east Queensland. 2,100 women undergoing caesarian section will either receive a vacuum or standard surgical dressing and will be followed for 1 month after surgery.
Pathophysiology And Treatment Of Malaria In Our Region
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$951,005.00
Summary
Malaria continues to kill 420,000 people/year. I will lead a team of clinical scientists in identifying how each of the different malaria parasites cause damage to small blood vessels, kidneys and other organs, and will test whether two different drugs can improve these processes and reduce illness. Many of my previous research findings have changed malaria treatment in Australia and across SE Asia, and, where appropriate, I will use new research findings to improve treatments.
Improving The Impact Of Perioperative Clinical Trials
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$494,733.00
Summary
This research focuses on (i) Designing and conducting large multicentre trials in anaesthesia and surgery, (ii) Confirming new patient-centred outcome measures in surgery, such as patient-rated quality of recovery, returning home after surgery, and disability-free survival; and (iii) Innovative trial designs to improve the efficiency (less burden, lower costs) of trials.
A Randomized, Double-blinded Controlled Trial (RCT) Of A New Whole IgG, Equine Antivenom Compared To The Currently Used F(ab’)2 CSL Taipan Antivenom, For The Treatment Of Papuan Taipan (Oxyuranus Scutellatus) Envenoming In Papua New Guinea.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,453,073.00
Summary
Snakebite is very common in Papua New Guinea (PNG), and many bites are caused by the Papuan taipan, a highly venomous snake found in the southern PNG savannah's. Current antivenom is expensive (US$1500) and many patients do not receive optimal treatment. We will conduct a randomised controlled trial of a new, low cost taipan antivenom developed specifically for PNG. The safety and efficacy of the new antivenom is compared to the existing product to determine if it is a suitable alternative.
Australian Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium [AUS-ROC] CRE
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,668,571.00
Summary
The Australian Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium (Aus-ROC) will be modelled on the highly successful North American Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium. The mission of Aus-ROC will be to conduct clinical trials and observational studies into the emergency management of out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest. Building on our existing collaborative partnerships, our goal is to improve patient outcomes and build the research capacity in prehospital emergency care.
Postgraduate Training And Teaching Methodologies In Regional Anaesthesia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$130,601.00
Summary
An important skill of specialist anaesthetists is performing nerve blocks to provide excellent pain relief in surgery and childbirth. This PhD research examines the use of new methods of education, including structured assessment, simulation, and high fidelity models to help train the next generation of anaesthetists. The goals of this research is to provide better quality patient care and improve patient outcomes after anaesthesia and surgery.