Fundamental flaws in the design and reporting of research outcomes can undermine evidence-based medicine, impede patient-centred care, cause harm to patients, and result in a waste of research dollars. Our 3-year multinational project engages with patients, caregivers, clinicians, researchers and policy makers, to establish core outcomes in haemodialysis. This will ensure that patient-centred outcomes are consistently measured and reported in haemodialysis trials and other forms of research.
INTroducing A Care Bundle To Prevent Pressure Injury (the INTACT Trial)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,093,250.00
Summary
In Australia, hospital acquired pressure injuries (i.e. bedsores) range from 7.4% – 17.4%. A care bundle is a structured group of interventions associated with improved patient outcomes. The aim of this 3-year cluster randomised controlled trial is to provide rigorous evidence regarding the effect of a patient centred pressure injury prevention care bundle on the development of pressure injuries in patients at risk of developing a hospital acquired pressure injury.
Maximum Acceptable Risk Of Complication In Total Knee Arthroplasty (MARKA) Study: Using Discreet Choice Experiments To Elicit Patient And Surgeon Perception Of Acceptable Risk In Total Knee Arthroplasty
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$465,199.00
Summary
Patient expectation is the strongest predictor of satisfaction following total knee replacement. Dissatisfaction with surgery is reported in approximately 1 in 5 patients undergoing knee replacement. Unrealistic patient expectations and uninformed perceptions of potential benefits, risks and limitations of surgery lead to dissatisfaction in many cases. This study will examine the “risk-benefit” preferences in patients and surgeons considering total knee replacement as a treatment option for end- ....Patient expectation is the strongest predictor of satisfaction following total knee replacement. Dissatisfaction with surgery is reported in approximately 1 in 5 patients undergoing knee replacement. Unrealistic patient expectations and uninformed perceptions of potential benefits, risks and limitations of surgery lead to dissatisfaction in many cases. This study will examine the “risk-benefit” preferences in patients and surgeons considering total knee replacement as a treatment option for end-stage osteoarthritis.Read moreRead less
Improving Oesophageal Adenocarcinoma Outcomes Through Understanding Genomics And Treatment Toxicity.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,013,282.00
Summary
Oesophageal adenocarcinoma is an aggressive cancer, as most patients will not survive for more than 5 years. Therefore we need to find better ways to treat patients. In this study we will identify the DNA mutations in oesophageal cancers that were part of clinical trial. The data allow us to determine why some tumours responded well to therapy, and why some patients had serious side effects to the treatment. The results will help inform on selection of therapy for future patients.
Optimising Upper Limb Recovery Following Stroke: A Randomised Controlled Trial Of The Effects Of Botulinum Toxin-A Combined With Intensive Rehabilitation Compared To Botulinum Toxin-A Alone
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,070,230.00
Summary
The devastating loss of movement in the hand after stroke could potentially be addressed, but we currently lack of research investigating treatment interventions. This randomised controlled trial will compare the routine interventions of botulinum toxin to botulinum toxin plus best-practice therapy for both cost and clinical outcome. Findings from this trial will provide the necessary information to make decisions about what will improve spasticity and function in the hand and arm after stroke.
Near Real-time Identification Of Patient Safety Incidents Reported By Health Professionals.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$324,174.00
Summary
Ten percent of admissions to Australian hospitals are associated with harm to patients. Reporting of patient safety incidents is now widespread. Current methods, which rely upon humans to manually review incident reports, do not permit timely detection of safety problems and can no longer keep up with the growing volume. This study will be the first internationally to automate the monitoring of incident reports. The outcomes have broad and immediate potential to improve the monitoring of inciden ....Ten percent of admissions to Australian hospitals are associated with harm to patients. Reporting of patient safety incidents is now widespread. Current methods, which rely upon humans to manually review incident reports, do not permit timely detection of safety problems and can no longer keep up with the growing volume. This study will be the first internationally to automate the monitoring of incident reports. The outcomes have broad and immediate potential to improve the monitoring of incidents on a local, national and international scale.Read moreRead less
Identifying And Implementing Standardised Outcomes In Kidney Transplantation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$274,076.00
Summary
The inconsistencies and lack of patient involvement in outcome selection for research can undermine shared decision-making and patient-centred care. Over three years, this global project will bring together patients,family members, healthcare providers, policy makers and industry to identify core outcomes in kidney transplantation. Implementation of the core outcome set will ensure that outcomes report in research are relevant, meaningful and important to patients with a kidney transplant.
Personalisation Of Aspirin Adjuvant Therapy In Patients With Colorectal Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$762,580.00
Summary
Aspirin use is associated with a reduced risk of bowel cancer recurrence. However, benefit appears limited to a subset of patients, and some individuals experience side effects. We will analyse tumour samples from patients participating in the ASCOLT clinical trial of aspirin to identify molecular features that can predict who will benefit from aspirin. Predictive biomarkers would be of substantial clinical utility for guiding treatment, minimising toxicity and improving disease outcomes.
Improving Outcomes For Patients Receiving Outpatient Chemotherapy Through A Shared Care Pathway Intervention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$623,887.00
Summary
Many cancer patients receiving chemotherapy treatment continue to experience serious side effects at home, where they struggle to self-manage and often go to hospital after symptoms have worsened. We have developed an innovative clinical pathway involving the provision of home-based assessment, clinical care and advice by community nurses, which aims to help patients without creating new health service positions. Our study will test if the pathway decreases unplanned hospital visits, improves pa ....Many cancer patients receiving chemotherapy treatment continue to experience serious side effects at home, where they struggle to self-manage and often go to hospital after symptoms have worsened. We have developed an innovative clinical pathway involving the provision of home-based assessment, clinical care and advice by community nurses, which aims to help patients without creating new health service positions. Our study will test if the pathway decreases unplanned hospital visits, improves patient well-being and is cost-effective.Read moreRead less
Innovative Patient Education For Preventing Falls After Hospital Discharge
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$573,186.00
Summary
Older people are at increased risk of falls after hospital discharge, but have low levels of knowledge about falls and may be reluctant to undertake falls prevention activities. Providing suitable education may reduce falls in these older patients. This randomized trial will determine if providing personalized falls prevention education in addition to usual care, reduces falls among older people after they leave hospital. Falls are the leading cause of injury among older people in Australia