Predicting And Promoting Improved Long Term Adjustment For Men With Localised Prostate Cancer: ProsCan
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$307,407.00
Summary
In the western world prostate cancer is the most common male cancer and the second most common cause of cancer death. Currently, the most contentious public health issue regarding prostate cancer is uncertainty about the benefits of diagnosing and treating prostate cancer at a localised stage. Prostate cancer is heterogeneous and the risk of morbidity and mortality from localised disease is difficult to quantify owing to the cancer's relatively slow growth rate. Thus, after the diagnosis of loca ....In the western world prostate cancer is the most common male cancer and the second most common cause of cancer death. Currently, the most contentious public health issue regarding prostate cancer is uncertainty about the benefits of diagnosing and treating prostate cancer at a localised stage. Prostate cancer is heterogeneous and the risk of morbidity and mortality from localised disease is difficult to quantify owing to the cancer's relatively slow growth rate. Thus, after the diagnosis of localised prostate cancer it is recommended that all men be advised of three possible treatment options at a minimum: watchful waiting, radiation therapy, or radical prostatectomy. Most men prefer active involvement in the treatment decision, however many find this difficult due to uncertainty about the likely survival gain; significant treatment side effects and ambiguous risk probabilities for these effects. While prostate cancer is common, mortality is low with most men surviving 10 years. This means quality of life after prostate cancer is a critical issue. Survivorship concerns for this patient group include fears about cancer recurrence; managing physical effects of treatments; and social effects such as disruption to daily living. Men seek help less for psychological difficulties than do women. Accessible and well targeted support services for men are critical. This project aims to identify men who after the diagnosis of localised prostate cancer are at risk of poorer psychosocial adjustment over the long term and to assess the effectiveness of a psychosocial and decision support intervention in improving their long term outcomes. Identification of predictors of men's adjustment over time and of effective ways to promote optimal long term outcomes are important research questions that are as yet unanswered. The present research will be the first of its kind internationally to address these questions.Read moreRead less
A Randomised Trial To Implement Systematic Distress Screening And Structured Care For Callers Using Cancer Councils' Telephone Services
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$289,279.00
Summary
Distress interferes with the ability to cope with cancer, its symptoms and treatment. Checking for distress and offering the right type of support should help reduce distress. In collaboration with state Cancer Councils, this study will test the costs and benefits of putting structured care into practice for people using Cancer Council telephone support services.
Communication Technologies For Supporting Patients With Multiple Morbidities Accessing Hospital Services
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$428,065.00
Summary
This program of research focuses on the integration of accessible remote communication technologies, including mobile devices, for helping to engage and support patients accessing hospital services. There is a specific focus on using contemporary accessible technologies to support and empower people who may have difficulty following recommendations for disease management and lifestyle behaviours to reduce their risk of severe negative health events that cause hospitalisation or death.
Design of network coding schemes for the next generation of wireless cellular systems. Network coding schemes are expected to become one of the key radio technologies and could have a far-reaching impact on the Australian economy. The proposed program will contribute to theory and development of network coding techniques and their application in future wireless networks.
Transforming Access To Addiction Treatment: Overcoming System Barriers And Developing Effective Early Intervention Approaches
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,195,288.00
Summary
Addiction is one of the most highly stigmatised disorders in our community, resulting in a near two decade delay before people seek treatment. Although individuals with alcohol and drug problems present many times to health services, there are multiple missed opportunities for intervention. This research will identify opportunities to facilitate early help-seeking and treatment via insights through data linkage and machine learning, as well as testing novel telephone-based models of care.
Implementing And Evaluating A Telephone-delivered Dietary Intervention For Age-related Macular Degeneration Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$181,065.00
Summary
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness. Dietary modifications are important in preventing AMD and slowing its progression. Yet, patients have inadequate explanation from eye care clinicians, as well as information/ knowledge regarding diet and AMD. Telephone coaching is proven to improve adherence to dietary recommendations. Hence, my TRIP Fellowship aims to improve dietary behaviours of AMD patients by implementing and evaluating a telephone coaching program.
The R2C Program: A Randomised Controlled Trial Of A Telephone-based Intervention For Alcohol Misuse
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$727,611.00
Summary
Despite high rates of problem drinking in Australia, few seek help due to stigma and a range of other barriers. In this project, we will conduct a randomised controlled trial to examine the effectiveness of a standalone telephone-delivered intervention, incorporating low-cost, structured, and integrated psychosocial support, to reduce harmful alcohol use and associated psychological morbidity in non-treatment-seeking problem drinkers.
Quitlink: Accessible Smoking Cessation Support For People Living With Severe And Enduring Mental Illness
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,141,189.00
Summary
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in people with severe mental illness (SMI). Although smokers with SMI want to quit, tailored interventions are rarely delivered in practice. Quitlines are well placed but underutilised by this group. “Quitlink” will utilise peer workers within mental health services to engage smokers with SMI in a tailored Quitline intervention. We will also qualitatively examine facilitators and barriers to cessation in order to improve future interventions.
Reducing Alcohol Use And Related Harm In Young People
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$702,462.00
Summary
Nationally, 10,000 young Australians present to emergency departments with alcohol-related injuries and illnesses each month. Much of this adversity could be prevented if more young people had access to effective brief interventions (BIs) for alcohol use. Telephone-delivered BIs provide an innovative, youth friendly and accessible way of delivering treatment. This is the first clinical trial to compare the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of telephone-delivered BIs for reducing alcohol use and re ....Nationally, 10,000 young Australians present to emergency departments with alcohol-related injuries and illnesses each month. Much of this adversity could be prevented if more young people had access to effective brief interventions (BIs) for alcohol use. Telephone-delivered BIs provide an innovative, youth friendly and accessible way of delivering treatment. This is the first clinical trial to compare the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of telephone-delivered BIs for reducing alcohol use and related harm in young people.Read moreRead less