Discussing Prognosis & End-of-life Issues In Palliative Care: Current Practice & Dvlpmnt Of Evidence Based Trng Program
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$149,955.00
Summary
Discussing prognosis and end-of-life issues is of key importance to palliative care patients and their families. We will a) prepare evidence based communication guidelines on these topics, b) analyse audio-taped consultations to see how these issues are currently discussed and c) develop and pilot a communication training module for palliative care clinicians. This could improve clinical practice, enhance patients' and families' psychological well-being and help patients to make appropriate deci ....Discussing prognosis and end-of-life issues is of key importance to palliative care patients and their families. We will a) prepare evidence based communication guidelines on these topics, b) analyse audio-taped consultations to see how these issues are currently discussed and c) develop and pilot a communication training module for palliative care clinicians. This could improve clinical practice, enhance patients' and families' psychological well-being and help patients to make appropriate decisions and prepare for their death.Read moreRead less
Developing And Testing A Pain Management Program For Family Caregivers Of Advanced Cancer Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$119,500.00
Summary
To improve cancer patients' and family carers' knowledge and attitudes about pain management. A secondary aim is to examine the effect of a pain education program (PEP) on patients' actual pain experiences. This study builds on pilot data indicating that a pain education program (PEP) for family carers of cancer patients in a home based palliative service is effective in improving family carers' knowledge of pain management and family carers' attitudes toward managing the patient's pain. The PEP ....To improve cancer patients' and family carers' knowledge and attitudes about pain management. A secondary aim is to examine the effect of a pain education program (PEP) on patients' actual pain experiences. This study builds on pilot data indicating that a pain education program (PEP) for family carers of cancer patients in a home based palliative service is effective in improving family carers' knowledge of pain management and family carers' attitudes toward managing the patient's pain. The PEP will be tested with both patients with progressive or recurrent cancer and their family carers, taking into account three recommendations arising from the pilot study: Both patients and family carers should be included in the education sessions to ensure that they receive the same information because the attitudes and behaviours of those close to the patient can directly influence outcomes; Recruitment should occur at an early stage of the illness rather than the palliative stage so that patients will be well enough to participate in the education sessions and the information provided will be useful for a longer period of time; Education sessions should be short and be delivered in the outpatient oncology settings, which is more cost-effective and typical of the way that the intervention will be delivered in practice, if found to be effective.Read moreRead less
Keeping Kids On Track: An Initiative Developing The Resilience Of Aboriginal Students During A Critical Transition Phase
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,430,435.00
Summary
This initiative aims to build Indigenous children�s capacity to cope with life�s challenges and promote resilience through social and emotional skill development, cognitive development, community engagement and appropriate health provision. This will build children�s capacity as improved educational and employment outcomes accrue in the longer term. A model of the process will be developed. Indigenous researchers and community members will take part in governance and conduct of the study.
A Randomised Clinical Trial To Test A Pain Education Program For Patients With Cancer And Their Family Carers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$150,000.00
Summary
This study seeks to improve cancer patients' and family carers' knowledge and attitudes toward pain management. A pain education program will be offered to patients with recurrent or progressive cancer and their primary family carers. The study addresses a palliative care concern that impacts upon a large number of Australians each year. The study has the potential to provide a brief, standardised protocol that could be taught and integrated into usual practice and to reduce health care costs fo ....This study seeks to improve cancer patients' and family carers' knowledge and attitudes toward pain management. A pain education program will be offered to patients with recurrent or progressive cancer and their primary family carers. The study addresses a palliative care concern that impacts upon a large number of Australians each year. The study has the potential to provide a brief, standardised protocol that could be taught and integrated into usual practice and to reduce health care costs for advanced cancer patients.Read moreRead less
Pall Care Approaches For Pain Management Education Among Care Assistants Residential Aged Care Hostels: A Feasiblity Stu
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$25,000.00
Summary
Pain is a devastating symptom that seriously diminishes quality of life1, yet few care assistants in residential aged care hostels are familiar with the principles of palliative care2. This project seeks to explore the feasibility of palliative approaches as a framework for developing a pain education program for these workers. The study will identify: required levels of knowledge; appropriate educational strategies; barriers to learning; best methods for evaluating programs; and cost implicatio ....Pain is a devastating symptom that seriously diminishes quality of life1, yet few care assistants in residential aged care hostels are familiar with the principles of palliative care2. This project seeks to explore the feasibility of palliative approaches as a framework for developing a pain education program for these workers. The study will identify: required levels of knowledge; appropriate educational strategies; barriers to learning; best methods for evaluating programs; and cost implications of providing pain management education in the hostel settings.Read moreRead less
Identification Of The Palliative Care Needs Of Home-based People With End-stage Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$50,000.00
Summary
This project seeks to identify the palliative care needs of home-based people with end-stage dementia. Although the need for home-based palliative care may apply to people with dementia as well as to those with cancer and other terminal illnesses, few people with end-stage dementia receive such care. For this reason, people with dementia may experience suffering and unmet needs towards the end of life. The proposed research is important because as the population ages and the prevalence of dement ....This project seeks to identify the palliative care needs of home-based people with end-stage dementia. Although the need for home-based palliative care may apply to people with dementia as well as to those with cancer and other terminal illnesses, few people with end-stage dementia receive such care. For this reason, people with dementia may experience suffering and unmet needs towards the end of life. The proposed research is important because as the population ages and the prevalence of dementia increases, home-based care will be the preferred option for many people. Palliative care practice however is not necessarily transferable between cancer care and dementia care. The needs of people with end-stage dementia may be different to those of people with cancers because of the different trajectories and symptoms experienced. There is evidence to suggest that a palliative care approach in dementia is favoured by formal and informal carers, however the preferences of people with dementia are not known. Understanding the palliative care needs of home-based people with end-stage dementia, carers and care providers is required, hence the motivation for this inquiry.Read moreRead less
Dementia Literacy In Greek, Italian And Chinese Australians
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$228,473.00
Summary
The dementia knowledge and beliefs of persons from Italian, Greek and Chinese backgrounds will be compared to third generation Australians. Five hundred persons from each group will be randomly selected from around Australia to be surveyed by telephone. Questions will assess whether dementia symptoms are recognised, what these persons think causes dementia, where they would go for help, how likely they are to use aged care services and stigma towards persons with dementia. Focus groups will be c ....The dementia knowledge and beliefs of persons from Italian, Greek and Chinese backgrounds will be compared to third generation Australians. Five hundred persons from each group will be randomly selected from around Australia to be surveyed by telephone. Questions will assess whether dementia symptoms are recognised, what these persons think causes dementia, where they would go for help, how likely they are to use aged care services and stigma towards persons with dementia. Focus groups will be conducted to identify barriers to service use and identify methods to improve dementia knowledge in Italian, Greek and Chinese groups. This information will be used to improve community education and service delivery for persons with dementia from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The Primary Dementia Collaborative Research Centre at the University of NSW, NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service and Alzheimer’s Australia are partners in this research.Read moreRead less
Enhancing Mental Health In Aboriginal People: Reducing Violence And Developing Resilience
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,771,151.00
Summary
This project aims to determine the best ways to improve the Social Emotional Well Being (SEWB) of the Aboriginal people of Broken Hill, Menindee and Wilcannia. This project will develop a culturally appropriate and evidenced based intervention to break the cycle of ongoing grief, mental illness, alcohol and other drugs and violence. The project will proceed in a number of interrelated phases including extensive community consultations and a baseline survey. The project will then implement and ev ....This project aims to determine the best ways to improve the Social Emotional Well Being (SEWB) of the Aboriginal people of Broken Hill, Menindee and Wilcannia. This project will develop a culturally appropriate and evidenced based intervention to break the cycle of ongoing grief, mental illness, alcohol and other drugs and violence. The project will proceed in a number of interrelated phases including extensive community consultations and a baseline survey. The project will then implement and evaluate an intervention program that provides a community and individual program that adopts evidence-based approaches and modifies them to be acceptable within Aboriginal communities. These interventions aim to break the cycle of violence and mental health problems by teaching adaptive skills to reduce violent behaviours and by providing mental health interventions that reduce disorders that contribute to violence.Read moreRead less
The Pacific OPIC Study - A Four Country Study Of Obesity Prevention In Communities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,600,580.00
Summary
Obesity is a rapidly escalating, worldwide epidemic. Many countries recognise the need to prevent obesity but there is insufficient evidence about what interventions work. The Pacific Obesity Prevention in Communities (OPIC) Project will provide data on the effectiveness of a range of interventions to prevent obesity among young people in Fiji, Tonga, New Zealand and Australia. Prevention research is particularly required in countries such as Fiji and Tonga because their prevalence of obesity is ....Obesity is a rapidly escalating, worldwide epidemic. Many countries recognise the need to prevent obesity but there is insufficient evidence about what interventions work. The Pacific Obesity Prevention in Communities (OPIC) Project will provide data on the effectiveness of a range of interventions to prevent obesity among young people in Fiji, Tonga, New Zealand and Australia. Prevention research is particularly required in countries such as Fiji and Tonga because their prevalence of obesity is extremely high. The interventions used in this project will be culturally appropriate and include at least 1000 young people in each intervention group. The outcomes of this project will be applicable to both low- and high-income countries. This project will lead to a greater understanding of the socio-cultural, policy, and economic contexts and provide crucial evidence for public health action to prevent obesity.Read moreRead less