Improving Research Evidence Quality Using Individual Patient Data, Prospective Meta-analysis And Trial Registration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$387,489.00
Summary
The quality of evidence we use to make health care decisions can be improved if we use systematic reviews that are planned ahead, that use raw data from each participant and include all the trials that have looked at the clinical problem. This research program will utilise these three ways of obtaining better quality data and will thus make research results more reliable. In particular, we will use these techniques to address health problems in mothers and babies.
ENDOPHTHALMITIS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA (1980-2002): INCIDENCE, MANAGEMENT AND EFFECTIVENESS OF CHEMOPROPHYLAXIS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$348,942.00
Summary
Endophthalmitis is a serious sight threatening infection of the internal cavities of the eye. Although endophthalmitis is not a common post-operative complication of eye surgery, 200 cases of this serious sight threatening infection occur each year in Australia following cataract surgery. Not only is this condition extremely distressing to the patients and surgeons alike, around A$4 million per year is spent each year treating the infection. Also, there is significant expenditure on methods to p ....Endophthalmitis is a serious sight threatening infection of the internal cavities of the eye. Although endophthalmitis is not a common post-operative complication of eye surgery, 200 cases of this serious sight threatening infection occur each year in Australia following cataract surgery. Not only is this condition extremely distressing to the patients and surgeons alike, around A$4 million per year is spent each year treating the infection. Also, there is significant expenditure on methods to prevent the infection that have not, as yet, been demonstrated beneficial. Our study will use a multidisciplinary team consisting of consultant ophthalmologists, public health researchers, a biostatistician and health economist to assess the impact of endophthalmitis in WA from 1980-2002 (around 480 cases). The population-based WA Linked Database provides a unique opportunity to produce what will be the largest population study of endophthalmitis. Data from the study will provide important information to develop best-practice treatment guidelines to prevent endophthalmitis following cataract surgery. The significance of this study will be that accurate information on the clinical epidemiology and true cost of endophthalmitis will be obtained for WA. By studying the records of patients with endophthalmitis and comparing them with matched patients, who did not have post-operative endophthalmitis following cataract surgery, we will characterise the risks for this severe complication by identifying the underlying factors that are responsible for the infection. We will also better understand the effect of methods used to prevent the infection. The use of a whole population-based study to assess methods of endophthalmitis prevention has not been done before and will have a significant beneficial impact on health policy and best-practice, not only in Australia, but also internationally.Read moreRead less
Why Do Some Breast Cancers Present At An Advanced Stage In Women In Australia?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$682,950.00
Summary
Each year since 1994, some 10,000 Australian women have been diagnosed with breast cancer and 2,500 have died from it; these deaths have led to loss of some 31,000 years of life before 75 years of age. There is no effective way to prevent breast cancer in most women at risk of it, the only possible intervention is early detection and treatment to reduce the impact of being diagnosed with the disease. The smaller the cancer at treatment, the better the outcome. The national mammographic screening ....Each year since 1994, some 10,000 Australian women have been diagnosed with breast cancer and 2,500 have died from it; these deaths have led to loss of some 31,000 years of life before 75 years of age. There is no effective way to prevent breast cancer in most women at risk of it, the only possible intervention is early detection and treatment to reduce the impact of being diagnosed with the disease. The smaller the cancer at treatment, the better the outcome. The national mammographic screening program, BreastScreen Australia, began in 1991. We expect that screening, through early detection, would reduce the numbers of women who die of breast cancer. Death rates from breast cancer have been falling in Australia since 1994. Despite this program, however, rates of larger breast cancers, more likely to have spread beyond the breast, are not falling. In 1997-98, the woman or her doctor detected nearly half of all breast cancers diagnosed outside of screening by detecting a change in the breast. Given that screening can detect cancers when they are small and that women themselves are also able to detect symptoms that may be small breast cancers and seek medical advice, we must ask why so many cancers are not diagnosed and treated until they are 2cm or larger and threaten life. This project aims to examine reasons in three broad areas: the woman herself, the cancer, and the wider health system, including the medical practitioner to whom symptoms or signs are first presented. Our study aims to understand the factors that contribute the most to the occurrence of larger breast cancers so that public health campaigns can be designed to increase the numbers detected at an early stage.Read moreRead less
I conduct epidemiological research on illicit drug use and harm, with a particular focus upon surveillance of drug use disorders and morbidity in sentinel populations. My epidemiological research has focused particularly on the comorbidity between drug de
Burden Of Disease&cost Effectiveness Of Intervention Options:informing Policy Choices & Health System Reform In Thailand
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$787,978.00
Summary
This research project aims to improve the scientific basis for health services provision in Thailand by filling important gaps in knowledge about the causes of disease and the possibility of effectively intervening to reduce them. Since the accuracy of the routine death registration system in Thailand is unknown, it cannot be confidently used to guide policy. The team will evaluate how accurately causes of death are being recorded, both in urban and rural areas. It will also calculate how much d ....This research project aims to improve the scientific basis for health services provision in Thailand by filling important gaps in knowledge about the causes of disease and the possibility of effectively intervening to reduce them. Since the accuracy of the routine death registration system in Thailand is unknown, it cannot be confidently used to guide policy. The team will evaluate how accurately causes of death are being recorded, both in urban and rural areas. It will also calculate how much disease and injury in Thailand is being caused by major risk factors, such as tobacco and unsafe sex. Using this information the team will evaluate the effectiveness of the major interventions to reduces diseases and injuries from risk factors that are affordable and applicable in the Thai context.Read moreRead less
Exploring Innovative Epidemiological Research To Understand Sexually Transmissible Infections In Large Cohorts
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$396,249.00
Summary
The aim of my postdoctoral research is to develop skills in epidemiological and sexual health research dealing with large cohorts, and to produce data that will aid in the improvement of sexual health outcomes in the population. One study I will work on is The National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles, a population-based survey of 15,000 men and women covering a range of sexual and reproductive health outcomes, and measuring the prevalence of sexually transmissible infections.
On The Scene: The Epidemiology Of HIV Among Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM) In Victoria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$73,397.00
Summary
This PhD will focus specifically on HIV among men who have sex with men in Victoria in effort to identify factors that may explain recent increases in rates of new HIV diagnoses and explore characteristics associated with HIV risk. It will incorporate surveillance and epidemiological data, examinations of local health promotion and HIV prevention initiatives and incorporate modelling methods for HIV to support HIV prevention programs and inform health and service planning in Australia.