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.
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
Changing Decision-making Behaviour In General Practice By Providing Access To Online Evidence.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$206,375.00
Summary
The case for a shift to evidence-based practice, and the substantial economic and health outcome benefits of that shift, have been repeatedly made. Despite the vision, significant barriers to evidence-based practice remain, and the demonstration of a positive role for on-line systems would result in a significant change in strategies for clinician behaviour change. This study will make a specific and significant contribution to our understanding of the efficacy and effectiveness of online eviden ....The case for a shift to evidence-based practice, and the substantial economic and health outcome benefits of that shift, have been repeatedly made. Despite the vision, significant barriers to evidence-based practice remain, and the demonstration of a positive role for on-line systems would result in a significant change in strategies for clinician behaviour change. This study will make a specific and significant contribution to our understanding of the efficacy and effectiveness of online evidence retrieval systems as a component in any evidence-based strategy, through a rigorous and controlled approach to the study of clinical behaviour change. It will also provide a powerful test of the value of search filters as a specific technology in support of evidence retrieval. The focus on prescribing patterns in NHMRC priority areas as an outcome measure will also provide a significant data set reflecting current practice in primary care.Read moreRead less
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.
Personalised Care For Type 2 Diabetes In Primary Care: Empowering Patients And Clinicians To Treat To Target
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$177,197.00
Summary
This Fellowship program focuses on evidence based clinical care of people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in general practice. In particular it seeks to translate evidence about progressive intensification of treatment of elevated glucose levels to achieve “target levels” into real world everyday general practice care of people with T2D. Doing so will play an important role in reducing the long term serious complications and could reduce the costs to the community of this condition.
The OPTIMISE Project: Collaborative Improvement Of Primary Health Care Delivery To The Australian Refugee Community
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,022,303.00
Summary
Identifying and addressing the health needs of refugees arriving in Australia can be difficult amidst current primary care system limitations. Our team will build the capacity of frontline health services for providing comprehensive, evidence-based care to this vulnerable community, while addressing system gaps in health service access and coordination. Our framework for effective, practical and sustainable primary health care delivery will improve health outcomes for refugees nationally.
DESPATCH: DElivering Stroke Prevention For Atrial Fibrillation: Assisting Evidence-based CHoice In Primary Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$561,447.00
Summary
Non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) is a common heart condition associated with a major risk of fatal and disabling stroke. Inexpensive anticoagulant medication has been proven to reduce all-causes of death and stroke in patients with NVAF. Anticoagulant treatment for NVAF is substantially under-used resulting in avoidable patient deaths and disabling stroke. The National Institute of Clinical Studies of Australia summarised the large, unrealised benefit of anticoagulation, stating that 'eac ....Non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) is a common heart condition associated with a major risk of fatal and disabling stroke. Inexpensive anticoagulant medication has been proven to reduce all-causes of death and stroke in patients with NVAF. Anticoagulant treatment for NVAF is substantially under-used resulting in avoidable patient deaths and disabling stroke. The National Institute of Clinical Studies of Australia summarised the large, unrealised benefit of anticoagulation, stating that 'each year, for every 1000 patients with NVAF given anticoagulants, we can assume that about 25 fewer people will experience a stroke and 12 fewer will die from a stroke than would be the case if they were not given them'. Despite this realisation, there is a lack of evidence to support any strategy to improve the care of patients with NVAF. This study seeks to optimise the management of NVAF in general practice. The DESPATCH study will employ a rigorous randomised design to evaluate an innovative educational intervention intended to overcome barriers to the best management of NVAF. If successful, DESPATCH will inform policy and practice aimed at overcoming barriers to best practice for the large and growing number of people with NVAF to reduce the risk of fatal and disabling stroke.Read moreRead less
A Perntership Intervention Trial To Redress TreatmentDelay And Improve Outcomes In Rural Cancer Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,258,784.00
Summary
Improving the poor outcomes in Australian cancer patients living in rural and remote areas is a national priority, but there is as yet insufficient evidence on how the problem is best tackled. In this project, partner organisations that deliver cancer services in non-metropolitan WA will team with experienced researchers to develop a ‘best prospects’ package of interventions targeting the community, medical and other health practitioners and patients with cancer; and to evaluate the effectivenes ....Improving the poor outcomes in Australian cancer patients living in rural and remote areas is a national priority, but there is as yet insufficient evidence on how the problem is best tackled. In this project, partner organisations that deliver cancer services in non-metropolitan WA will team with experienced researchers to develop a ‘best prospects’ package of interventions targeting the community, medical and other health practitioners and patients with cancer; and to evaluate the effectiveness of the package using a scientifically valid randomised controlled trial.Read moreRead less
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.