An Evaluation Of The Impact Of A Chlamydia Testing Intervention On General Practitioner Knowledge, Attitudes And Chlamydia Testing Rates
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$84,800.00
Summary
Chlamydia trachomatis is a significant public health burden. Annual chlamydia testing is recommended for young people attending Australian general practice, and is required to reduce chlamydia prevalence, but testing rates remain low. This research will evaluate the impact of a chlamydia testing intervention on Australian general practitioners’ chlamydia testing rates, knowledge and attitudes. Findings will provide evidence to support future chlamydia control programs in Australia.
Invasive Staphylococcus Aureus Disease In Children; Epidemiology, Treatment And Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$124,676.00
Summary
This project will involve a systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCT) on the treatment Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB) as well as a local WA retrospective review to quantify disease burden, trends and outcome. A prospective 2-year multicentre Australian review will then identify variables that can predict complicated and uncomplicated SAB. This information will then be used to design a RCT protocol on risk-stratified treatment approaches for SAB in paediatrics.
The Economics Of Surgery: Using Routine And Registry Data To Improve Policy, With Particular Reference To Congenital Heart Disease (the Fontan Procedure) And Prosthetic Surgery (hip And Knee Replacements)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$86,073.00
Summary
My research will use economics to help improve surgery outcomes. Clinical and policy recommendations in surgery often come from a relatively low evidence base. I will make use of detailed data registries of previous recipients of hip and knee surgery (St. Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne) and Fontan heart surgery (Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne) to develop advanced economic models of surgery outcomes. My aim is to use these models to improve real-world health policies in surgery.
Investigating Stakeholder Experiences In Implementing And Adopting Genome Sequencing In Paediatric Clinical Practice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$91,538.00
Summary
Medicare funding became available for genome sequencing in 2020. Paediatricians can now order this test to help diagnose childhood syndromes. Expanding testing beyond genetics services is vital for patients to benefit broadly, but paediatricians and other medical specialists are known to feel ill-prepared to assume a greater role. My PhD project will investigate what we can learn from paediatric stakeholder experiences in delivering genome sequencing to aid future adoption in other settings.
How Can We Influence The Ways That Research And Other Information Are Used In Health Policy And Program Organisations?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$57,140.00
Summary
My research aims to improve methods for getting research into health policy decision-making. My PhD will investigate aspects of design, implementation and evaluation of research utilisation interventions. It will: 1. Increase understanding of the factors that mediate these interventions; 2. Increase empirical understanding of what strategies are most effective in improving research utilisation in different contexts, and 3. Provide concrete guidance for how to design, implement and evaluate such
Management And Risk Prediction Of Paracetamol Overdose
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$98,950.00
Summary
Paracetamol overdose is the most common pharmaceutical poisoning in developed countries and incidence is increasing in the developing world. Overdose can lead to liver failure and death. Our research will evaluate a novel antidote regimen and whether early cessation of antidote for paracetamol toxicity in a specific cohort is safe, with implications of decreasing time in hospital. We will also identify risk prediction tools to help early identification of patients needing intensive treatment
Epidemiology And Management Of Bronchiectasis In Australian Adults
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$124,676.00
Summary
Bronchiectasis is an incurable lung disease which causes chronic cough with phlegm. We do not know how many Australians have bronchiectasis or how it affects their lives, and there are few effective treatments. The recently launched Australian Bronchiectasis Registry collects comprehensive information on Australians with bronchiectasis. This project will use this information to start to answer these questions, and will investigate nebulised hypertonic saline as a cheap and accessible treatment.
The Impact Of The COVID-19 Pandemic On Sexual And Reproductive Health Services And Outcomes In The Pacific Islands And Territories
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$110,703.00
Summary
Delivery of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services was curtailed in the Pacific Island countries and territories, as already limited resources were redistributed towards meeting priorities dictated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This project will investigate, analyse and quantify the impact on SRH outcomes. It will explore the experiences of SRH policy changes during the pandemic and aim to collaboratively develop a management plan for SRH programs should another pandemic occur in the future.
Three Case Studies Evaluating Health Service Interventions And Exploring The Factors Influencing Their Undertaking And Use In Clinical And Organisational Settings.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$95,121.00
Summary
Healthcare services aspire to provide the highest quality healthcare while facing pressure on costs. In this context evaluating health service interventions is essential. This thesis will evaluate three such interventions aimed at improving patient care. In doing so, it will explore the factors affecting their translation into practice and their capacity to inform relevant decision makers, including clinicians, managers and policy-makers.
Pro-apoptotic Therapies For The Treatment Of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Disease And Latent Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$140,949.00
Summary
Programmed cell death has an important role in our ability to fight organisms. Upon infection, processes result in activation of death-inducing cascades, resulting in death of cell and pathogen. M. tuberculosis, an escalating health problem, has developed mechanisms to prevent this, leading to latency. This study, which uses mouse M.tb models, hypothesises that reversal of these mechanisms, using drugs currently in trial in leukaemia (ABT-737 & BV6), may lead to clearance of infection.