Transdisciplinary Stroke Assessment: Can It Improve Allied Health Efficiency And Care On An Acute Stroke Unit?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$106,268.00
Summary
This study will evaluate a new way of effectively delivering allied health assessment on Acute Stroke Units. It will compare current practice (multiple discipline-specific assessments) to a new transdisciplinary assessment (one allied health assessment) on the Mater Hospital Brisbane Acute Stroke Unit. It is anticipated that the transdisciplinary assessment will be more time-efficient, cost-saving, improve quality of care, increase patient/staff satisfaction, and build inter-professional trust.
Long Term Evaluation Of Uptake, Impact And Outcomes Of The 75+ Health Assessment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$204,897.00
Summary
This project will evaluate uptake, outcomes and costs of the 75+ Health Assessment using data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (ALSWH) linked to Medicare data. The ALSWH provides prospective data through regular surveys, and these longitudinal data will allow comprehensive evaluation from the introduction of the assessments through to their longer term outcomes in very old age.
Developing Tools And Methods To Improve The Mental Health Of Aboriginal Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$328,270.00
Summary
Aboriginal children are thought to experience a disproportionately high burden of mental health-related harm. Little is known about the nature and extent of this harm, or how to improve the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal children. This fellowship seeks to determine the clinical validity of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire amongst urban Aboriginal children. Subsequently, work will be undertaken with communities to develop an intervention to improve child mental health.
The Structure Of Negative Affective States In Youth: Identifying The Core Symptoms Of Depression, Anxiety And Tension/stress In Children And Adolescents
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$241,016.00
Summary
This project will lead to improved knowledge about the symptoms that define depression and anxiety in children and adolescents. The results will also inform us about the development of tension/stress as a unique emotional state associated with excessive worrying. The publication of a new state-of-the-art self-report measure assessing all three negative emotional states in one brief instrument will benefit researchers and practitioners in a variety of health care and educational settings.
Building Capacity In Innovative Approaches To Health Technology Assessment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,552,136.00
Summary
This research will develop innovative approaches to health technology assessment by using a range of data sources analysed using sophisticated econometrics techniques. It will build capacity in new methods of economic evaluation and in econometric analysis of administrative and clinical trial data, using sophisticated approaches to combining data sources. This will allow fuller assessment of cost-effectiveness, incorporating a wide range of possible coverage scenarios and detailed monitoring.
Cataract Surgery And Risk Of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$339,750.00
Summary
Cataract surgery currently ranks as one of the most frequently performed and successful surgical procedures in Australia (125,000 operations-year). Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the principal cause of moderate visual impairment and blindness, currently accounting for blindness in between 17,300 and 30,400 Australians. Past studies have not shown a definite relationship between cataract and AMD. Follow-up data from clinical case series and from two older population-based studies (the ....Cataract surgery currently ranks as one of the most frequently performed and successful surgical procedures in Australia (125,000 operations-year). Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the principal cause of moderate visual impairment and blindness, currently accounting for blindness in between 17,300 and 30,400 Australians. Past studies have not shown a definite relationship between cataract and AMD. Follow-up data from clinical case series and from two older population-based studies (the Beaver Dam and Blue Mountains Eye Studies) suggested that cataract surgery might increase the risk of subsequent development of AMD in operated eyes of older persons. Such an increased AMD risk in eyes after cataract surgery appears to be both short term (observation from clinical case series) and long term (evidence from population-based studies), and persists after taking into consideration age, sex, smoking, preexisting early stage lesions of the disease and correlation between both eyes. The proposed study is to follow a large number of older patients who are undergoing cataract surgery in Western Sydney Eye Hospital and in two ophthalmologists' private rooms. Rates of subsequent development of AMD will be compared between operated and non-operated eyes, and also between the surgical cohort and the Blue Mountains Eye Study cohort. We will document macular conditions carefully before and after surgery to exclude the possibility of confounding issues. We will also investigate whether the increased risk occurs in certain subgroups of patients at high risk of AMD. If an increased AMD risk from cataract surgery is confirmed in subgroups of patients, a modified clinical practice may be indicated, to maximize cataract surgery benefit and minimize the risk of vision loss from AMD after surgery. Changes may include additional patient information and consent about this risk, delayed cataract surgery within limits of visual function, and close postoperative follow up.Read moreRead less
Younger-onset Dementia: Improving Patient And Care Outcomes Through Advancements In Diagnosis And The Identificaiton Of Genetic And Environmental Factors Which Influence Outcomes.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$227,261.00
Summary
This project aims to fully characterise symptoms of YOD and correlate these with existing and novel investigations. Carers' needs,including their psychiatric symptoms and burden will also be studied. Guidelines can be developed to assist primary care and other services to improve their ability to recognise early symptoms so they can refer patients for appropriate assessment in a timely manner, thus reducing diagnostic delay and ultimately benefiting patients and carers
Ageing And Dementia In Aboriginal Australians: Promoting Vitality, Identifying Decline And Supporting Communities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$603,411.00
Summary
Dementia is a growing concern and burden on communities for Aboriginal Australians. This fellowship will develop effective, culturally appropriate, and accessible strategies to promote healthy brain ageing and prevent dementia in Aboriginal communities. It will also investigate better ways to assess memory and thinking in this population, in order to identify changes as early as possible for enhanced dementia research and treatment prospects.
Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram: Tools For Investigation Of The Nodavirus Carrier State In Marine, Euryhaline And Freshwater Fish And Control Of NNV Through Integrated Management
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$463,365.00
Summary
This project relates directly to the FRDC VNN Research and Development Plan, to facilitate industry profitability, sustainability, growth and development. There is an overarching need to measure and then reduce the risk to fisheries and aquaculture sectors (including natural resources) associated with transfer of nodaviruses. The aquaculture industry is proactive and responsible (eg triple bottom line reporting) and wishes to manage risks based on sound science. Industry acknowledges a residual ....This project relates directly to the FRDC VNN Research and Development Plan, to facilitate industry profitability, sustainability, growth and development. There is an overarching need to measure and then reduce the risk to fisheries and aquaculture sectors (including natural resources) associated with transfer of nodaviruses. The aquaculture industry is proactive and responsible (eg triple bottom line reporting) and wishes to manage risks based on sound science. Industry acknowledges a residual risk that cannot be controlled: virus prevalence in the wild and natural fish movements. However, there is an immediate need for industry to conduct business in the face of unknowns with respect to true disease status. While there is a need to ensure that infected, but apparently healthy, stock are not moved to areas that are considered free of the disease/disease agent, it is of fundamental importance for the sustainability of the barramundi aquaculture industry and developing species ventures such as Australian bass that stock are translocated. Current tests for determining disease status are considered inadequate, therefore biosecurity protocols in the short-term are required to address the risk of introduction of disease with water, broodstock and fomites. As new information becomes available through R&D, these protocols will be revised and improved as needed to improve biosecurity. In the meantime, protocols are needed to manage risks with incomplete information and without overburdening industry with uneconomic or unwarranted requirements. There is need for mitigation of impacts on translocation: hatchery to nursery to grow-out; hatchery to wild (eg stocking for recreational fishing); both intra-state and interstate translocations, access to overseas markets; sourcing broodstock from the wild. Financial impacts, environmental impacts and mulitsectorial impacts at level of commercial, recreational and regulatory sectors all need to be addressed. Objectives: 1. To develop and validate a real-time PCR method for the detection and identification of betanodaviruses 2. To develop and evaluate the applicability of serological tests for detection and identification of betanodaviruses 3. To transfer developed technology to Australian diagnostic laboratories 4. To provide a basis for development of a national proficiency testing scheme for the detection and identification of betanodaviruses 5. To provide recommendations for improved biosecurity protocols in relation to nodavirus infection and fish translocation Read moreRead less