After the questions: outcomes of routine screening for domestic violence in NSW Health services. Recent research indicates that domestic violence is the leading contributor to death, disability and illness in women aged 15-44 in Australia and leads to health costs of $314 m annually (VicHealth 2004, Access Economics 2004). Routine screening is a low cost measure aimed at prevention and early intervention for domestic violence, which has been successfully introduced for women entering antenatal, ....After the questions: outcomes of routine screening for domestic violence in NSW Health services. Recent research indicates that domestic violence is the leading contributor to death, disability and illness in women aged 15-44 in Australia and leads to health costs of $314 m annually (VicHealth 2004, Access Economics 2004). Routine screening is a low cost measure aimed at prevention and early intervention for domestic violence, which has been successfully introduced for women entering antenatal, early childhood, mental health and drug and alcohol services operated by NSW Health. The research will be the first study of its size to consider the outcomes of routine screening for domestic violence in public health settings in the Australian context.Read moreRead less
Development and evaluation of computer assisted survey technology as an adjunct to the professional consultation. The project aims to test the effectiveness of computer technology as an adjunct to the client-provider interaction in General Medical Practice. An innovative system for generating dietary assessment and advice will be developed, supporting both local software and multi media industries and providing data on population based interventions for prevalent lifestyle disease (obesity, diab ....Development and evaluation of computer assisted survey technology as an adjunct to the professional consultation. The project aims to test the effectiveness of computer technology as an adjunct to the client-provider interaction in General Medical Practice. An innovative system for generating dietary assessment and advice will be developed, supporting both local software and multi media industries and providing data on population based interventions for prevalent lifestyle disease (obesity, diabetes). The study involves developing the technology, evaluating its use in practice and researching the opinions of key stakeholders (consumers, GPs dietitians) on the position of this technology in the client-provider interaction.Read moreRead less
Towards Evidence-based Adoption And Scale-up Of Cost-saving Primary Health Care Innovations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,768.00
Summary
What innovations like service integration, care coordination and information technology (e.g. text message reminders, remote video consultations, remote monitoring) have in common is that they alter the patient-provider interface, more reliably and consistently than improving clinical outcomes. So, to determine their true costs and benefits, how to select among them and how to scale them up, this research program will assess them based on measures of how they alter patient-provider transactions.
EFFECTIVENESS OF INFLUENZA AND PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINATION IN PREVENTING HOSPITALISATION DUE TO PNEUMONIA IN OLDER PERSONS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$258,475.00
Summary
Flu and pneumococcus remain important causes of illness and death in Australia. They can cause pneumonia and severe respiratory illness, including death, especially in older people. This is because natural immunity against infections tends to decrease with age. Vaccination against flu and pneumococcus is therefore recommended for all persons aged 65 years or older, but only in Victoria are both vaccines publicly funded. The Victorian initiative appears to have had a marked impact on improving va ....Flu and pneumococcus remain important causes of illness and death in Australia. They can cause pneumonia and severe respiratory illness, including death, especially in older people. This is because natural immunity against infections tends to decrease with age. Vaccination against flu and pneumococcus is therefore recommended for all persons aged 65 years or older, but only in Victoria are both vaccines publicly funded. The Victorian initiative appears to have had a marked impact on improving vaccination coverage, but its impact on disease has never been assessed. This study will estimate vaccination coverage, missed vaccination opportunities, effectiveness of flu and pneumococcal vaccines in preventing hospitalisation for pneumonia, and cost-effectiveness of the currently funded vaccination program in this age group. This is considered a priority because of the serious but preventable nature of the diseases caused by these infections. This study will improve awareness of the importance of vaccination among individuals, and given the high estimated vaccine coverage in older Victorians, is well placed to provide the first available evidence for or against effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of flu and pneumococcal vaccination in older Australians. The results may have major implications for public health policy in Victoria and elsewhere in Australia.Read moreRead less
Pathways to healing: determining effective care pathways for chronic wounds for timely healing, prevention and cost effectiveness. Care for chronic leg ulcers is reported to cost 1-2.5% of total health budgets (>3 billion $US/year, $500 million AUD/year). Efficient use of health resources and improved health as a result of effective chronic wound management (early healing and prevention) are the most significant potential outcomes from this study. In addition to direct health care costs, chronic ....Pathways to healing: determining effective care pathways for chronic wounds for timely healing, prevention and cost effectiveness. Care for chronic leg ulcers is reported to cost 1-2.5% of total health budgets (>3 billion $US/year, $500 million AUD/year). Efficient use of health resources and improved health as a result of effective chronic wound management (early healing and prevention) are the most significant potential outcomes from this study. In addition to direct health care costs, chronic wounds are associated with significant hidden burdens on the community resulting from loss of mobility, decreased functional ability, social isolation and loss of participation in the workforce/society. This study will provide much needed information on management of this chronic disease to promote improved quality of life, health and independence in this population.Read moreRead less
The Influence Of Acupuncture On Reducing Women's Pain From Primary Dysmenorrhoea: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$310,875.00
Summary
Dysmenorrhoea refers to painful uterine cramps during menstruation. It is a common condition that affects as many as 50 percent of women. Severe menstrual pain can lead to an absence from work, or attending school, or interference with day to day lives. This condition is commonly treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or the oral contraceptive pill. Studies suggest that between 30-50 percent of the adult population use some form of complementary medicine. Acupuncture, the insertion o ....Dysmenorrhoea refers to painful uterine cramps during menstruation. It is a common condition that affects as many as 50 percent of women. Severe menstrual pain can lead to an absence from work, or attending school, or interference with day to day lives. This condition is commonly treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or the oral contraceptive pill. Studies suggest that between 30-50 percent of the adult population use some form of complementary medicine. Acupuncture, the insertion of fine needles, into specific areas of the body is increasingly being used to treat a number of conditions. It has been indicated in several non-clinical studies and two small clinical trials to be effective with treating dysmenorrhoea. Evidence from the Cochrane systematic review of acupuncture to treat primary dysmenorrhoea concluded acupuncture may be helpful. This study assesses whether women with dysmenorrhoea can be successfully treated using acupuncture. Women experiencing dysmenorrhoea with no underlying pelvic pathology will be offered the opportunity to take part in the trial. Women interested in taking part will be randomly allocated into one of two groups. One group of women will receive acupuncture, a second group will receive control (sham) acupuncture. The second study group involves the insertion of needles away from acupuncture points. Women will receive the treatment intervention for three menstrual cycles and then followed up for a further six months. Women will be asked to report on the pain they experience during menses and to report any time taken off from work or school, disruption with day to day activities, or the need for additional pain relief. In 2005 we expect to report on the effectiveness of this treatment on dysmenorrhoea and whether this treatment is acceptable to women. If the results are positive, it is hoped this will become an option available to women for the management of their dysmenorrhoea.Read moreRead less
An Evaluation Of Trust In A Primary Health Care System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$135,550.00
Summary
Trust is a critical issue in the relationships between organisations that need to work together to achieve integrated services for consumers. As organisational representatives get to know one another trust may develop permitting a greater degree of collaboration. In Victoria, the Primary Care Partnerships Strategy process aims to strengthen the relationships between agencies in alocal areas to improve collaboration and achieve services that operate in an integrated way in the provision of servic ....Trust is a critical issue in the relationships between organisations that need to work together to achieve integrated services for consumers. As organisational representatives get to know one another trust may develop permitting a greater degree of collaboration. In Victoria, the Primary Care Partnerships Strategy process aims to strengthen the relationships between agencies in alocal areas to improve collaboration and achieve services that operate in an integrated way in the provision of services to consumers. It is about strengthening the system of care. The aim of this study is to understand how people within a primary care system build and maintain relationships of trust between individuals and between organisations. Individuals will be interviewed to learn how they experience trust and related issues, documents will be analysed to learn about the policy and organisational environments of trust relationships, and the Trust Evaluation Scale used to measure the factors associated with trust over a two year period. The outcomes of this study will be an understanding of how organisations establish the relationships that allow them to collaborate effectively. In particular it will help us understand how they can be encouraged to share the same protocols and procedures, to share information, and become more skilful at managing organisational differences, and it will provide a deeper understanding of relationships between primary health care organisations and the strategies that can help individuals and organisations create trust and collaborate.Read moreRead less