Implementing Guidelines To Routinely Prevent Chronic Disease In General Practice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$764,446.00
Summary
High quality, evidence-based guidelines for preventive activities and for the implementation of prevention in general practice have been developed by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and other bodies, yet available information suggests that many patients miss out on evidence-based preventive care. This project aims to evaluate current practice and develop a model of practice aimed at improving the implementation of preventive guidelines in general practice.
Reducing Antibiotic Use In Primary Care: A Cluster Randomised Trial To Evaluate The Effectiveness Of Decision Aids About Antibiotic Use For Acute Respiratory Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$325,500.00
Summary
Antibiotic resistance is a worldwide crisis. It means antibiotics no longer work. Reducing their use is critical. Acute respiratory infections (eg ear infections, sore throats, cough) are a target for reducing use as they are the most common reason that general practitioners (GPs) prescribe antibiotics, despite being usually not needed. This trial will test if decision aids reduce antibiotic use, by helping GPs and patients to discuss their benefits and harms and jointly decide about their use.
Testing, Translation And Uptake Of Evidence In General Practice: A Systems Approach To Rapid Translation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,411,050.00
Summary
Testing, Translation & Uptake of Evidence in General Practice: A systems approach. Though General Practice is the frontline of Australia’s health system, new research findings are often ignored by busy GPs, resulting in suboptimal care. We plan to improve this by: A. A network of influential GPs practices to test new research, B. Practice support units who provide GP and patient summaries of new research, C. Active transfer of successful new practices via social media, guidelines, and courses.
Translating Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Guidelines Into General Practice: A Behavioural Intervention Within A Systems Approach To Improve Evidence-based Practice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
This project will develop, evaluate and implement a combined GP and patient intervention to improve cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention, by increasing: 1) use of CVD risk calculators; 2) guidelines-based prescribing of medication to high risk and not low risk patients; and 3) patient understanding of CVD risk/management options and involvement in decision making. This will improve care for millions of patients, reduce the cost of CVD, and develop new methods to improve other areas of health.
The First Placebo-controlled Trial Of Paracetamol For Back Pain.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$626,021.00
Summary
Each year in Australia over $1Billion is spent on treatments for low back pain. An important approach to solving this problem is to evaluate back pain treatments that are readily available, safe, cheap and effective. Our previous work suggests that regular paracetamol may be such a treatment. We propose to conduct the first ever placebo controlled trial of paracetamol for acute low back pain in a large clinical trial.
A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial Of Nurse And General Practitioner Partnership For Care Of COPD
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$449,377.00
Summary
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic disease that can progress to severe disability and use of hospital services. It is an important cause of both death and disability in Australia. Specifically it is the third leading cause of disease burden after heart disease and stroke. Smoking is the most important cause of the disease and there is strong evidence that smoking cessation will largely prevent progression of COPD. National evidence based guidelines for management of COPD w ....Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic disease that can progress to severe disability and use of hospital services. It is an important cause of both death and disability in Australia. Specifically it is the third leading cause of disease burden after heart disease and stroke. Smoking is the most important cause of the disease and there is strong evidence that smoking cessation will largely prevent progression of COPD. National evidence based guidelines for management of COPD were published in 2003 but these need to be implemented in the community. General practice is well placed to have a key role in early intervention and evidence based management of COPD. There is evidence that specialised nurses working in collaboration with GPs can improve the care the chronic illnesses including COPD. Care Plans with input from health professionals from a range of disciplines have been recommended for COPD but there are barriers to implementing these in general practice. This project brings together nurse assistance and care planning in a model of care designed to deliver best practice management of COPD in the community. The aim of this research is to evaluate the impact of anurse and GP partnership for care of COPD. We will examine the effect on quality of care and health outcomes at 6 and 12 months follow up. Our hypothesis is that the use of a nurse to work as a team with the patient and GP to develop and implement a care plan based on clinical practice guidelines will improve the quality of care received and have a beneficial effect on the patients' respiratory and overall health. This research will be of major significance for improving COPD care in the community and will have far reaching implications for both policy and practice. It will also define a new role for nurses and GPs working in partnership.Read moreRead less
SEA-URCHIN: South East Asia - Using Research For Change In Hospital-acquired Infection In Neonates
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,303,773.00
Summary
Each year, more than one million babies die from infection before they reach one month of age. Proven and inexpensive practices to prevent and treat infection exist but they are not always followed (eg hand washing). This research will evaluate the impact of tailored implementation strategies on rates of infection and death in the neonatal units of nine hospitals in four counties in South East Asia. Staff from these units will work with Australian partners to devise, implement and evaluate diffe ....Each year, more than one million babies die from infection before they reach one month of age. Proven and inexpensive practices to prevent and treat infection exist but they are not always followed (eg hand washing). This research will evaluate the impact of tailored implementation strategies on rates of infection and death in the neonatal units of nine hospitals in four counties in South East Asia. Staff from these units will work with Australian partners to devise, implement and evaluate different strategies.Read moreRead less
Patient-centred EHealth Approach To Improving Outcomes For Gout Sufferers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$688,354.00
Summary
Gout, caused by excessive urate, can be controlled by prescribing medication and patients adhering to them. We will conduct a 2-year controlled trial in primary care to test an eHealth tool to significantly improve gout patient outcomes. This tool tracks patients plasma urate, medication adherence, gout attacks and provides education, interaction with gout experts and reminders of medical visits. Nationwide rollout of this gout management tool will occur after improved outcomes are proven.
Can Preventive Care Activities In General Practice Be Sustained When Financial Incentives And External Audit Plus Feedback Are Removed? A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,201,443.00
Summary
There is increasing debate about the effectiveness of incentive payments and audit plus feedback on the clinical behaviour of general practitioners (GPs). Governments both in Australia and the UK are raising the threshold targets for payment eligibility making it more difficult for GPs to get payments. We will conduct a trial that will investigate the impact of removing financial incentives and/or external audit plus feedback on the preventive care activities of GPs.