Do Additional Allied Health Services For Rehabilitation Reduce Length Of Stay Without Compromising Patient Outcomes?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$238,424.00
Summary
This project will examine whether the provision of additional therapy services on a Saturday reduces health care costs, and improves the health of hospital inpatients receiving rehabilitation when compared to the usual Monday to Friday service. Preliminary information suggests additional Saturday rehabilitation services could reduce the time a patient stays in hospital by 3 days. This large clinical trial will investigate the cost effectiveness and patients outcomes of such a service.
Evaluation Of A Tailored Online Hospital And Post-discharge Smoking Cessation Program For Orthopaedic Trauma Surgery Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$370,818.00
Summary
Smoking causes serious post-surgery complications and may lengthen recovery time. Hospitalisation is an ideal opportunity to encourage quitting to patients who smoke. We have found high rates of smoking among trauma surgery patients, and high interest to quit, yet few reported receiving advice to quit. We have designed an online quit support program for patients. The program is expected to help patients to quit smoking, leading to improvements in their recovery and general health.
Periodontal Disease And Chronic Kidney Disease Among Aboriginal Adults; An RCT
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,035,550.00
Summary
Chronic Kidney Disease is a growing public health concern in Australia, especially among Aboriginal populations. It is associated with progression to end stage kidney disease requiring dialysis, cardiovascular disease burden and high mortality. This study will use a randomised controlled trial design to determine if comprehensive periodontal therapy reduces progression of kidney disease among Aboriginal adults with chronic kidney disease residing in Central Australia.
Treatment Of Invasively Ventilated Adults With Early Activity And Mobilisation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,467,137.00
Summary
The sickest patients in intensive care units (ICUs) receive prolonged, invasive support for their breathing. This is currently managed with complete bed rest, and results in severe muscle weakness, increased duration of hospital stay and poor recovery. We have found that early activity and mobilisation during invasive breathing support is safe and may improve survival and recovery. We will test early activity and mobilisation in a large randomised controlled trial of 750 ICU patients.
The N-ICE Trial: A Randomised Controlled Trial Of The Safety And Efficacy Of N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) As A Pharmacotherapy For Methamphetamine (“ice”) Dependence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,551,368.00
Summary
Crystalline methamphetamine (aka ‘ice’) is a significant public health concern in Australia and globally. Currently there are no approved medications to treat methamphetamine dependence. We will trial tN-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) as a medications for methamphetamine dependence.
A Randomised Trial Of A Clinical Prediction Tool For Targeting Depression Care (Target-D)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$944,774.00
Summary
The Target-D Study uses a novel clinical prediction tool to test a new approach to depression care in general practice based upon sub-grouping patients into low, medium and high risk of ongoing depression. Participants will be randomly allocated to targeted treatments based upon their risk profile or to usual general practice care. We will measure whether the new approach results in greater improvements in depressive symptoms, quality of life and functioning and whether there are cost benefits.
IMPART - IMproving PAlliative Care In Residential Aged Care Using Telehealth
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,047,058.00
Summary
Sixty-thousand Australians die every year in residential aged care facilities but the quality of their end-of-life care varies. The IMPART program aims to improve palliative care in residential aged care using telehealth. We provide training and palliative-geriatric support to aged care staff and general practitioners to enable timely end-of-life discussions, improve documentation of care preferences, reduce avoidable hospitalisation and improve residents' quality of care at the end of life.
A Randomised Controlled Trial To Improve Depression In Family Carers Through A Physical Activity Intervention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$727,745.00
Summary
This RCT of a physical activity intervention for carers and care recipients aims to determine whether physical activity (designed for carer and care recipient to do together) can reduce depression in older carers. The intervention includes a physiotherapist assessment, Otago and Otago-Plus exercise programs in carer/care recipient’s home over six-months. An economic evaluation will be undertaken. If successful, the intervention could be broadly applied within the carer support service system.
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Cognitive Bias Modification Training During Early Recovery From Alcohol Dependence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$531,685.00
Summary
Relapse to alcohol dependence often occurs within days of detoxification, partly because alcohol-dependent people are easily triggered to approach alcohol-related cues. Computerised “brain-training” programs may reduce this “approach bias”, reducing risk of relapse. We aim to conduct a multi-site trial testing the effects of this training on alcohol relapse, and to estimate the savings to the health care system that could be achieved by conducting this treatment during inpatient detoxification.