Building An Evidence Base For Funding Evidence-based Medicine
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$316,338.00
Summary
Funding schemes should be subject to the same scientific scrutiny as the proposals they scrutinize. If funding schemes could be improved, and higher quality proposals funded more reliably, then evidence-based medicine throughout Australia could be improved. Current evidence shows a concerning variability in funding decisions. We will examine the costs and reliability of the Project Grant scheme and two cheaper alternatives. Any savings we find could be re-invested back into medical research.
Randomised Controlled Trial Of Surgical Skin Preparation For Prevention Of Superficial Wound Complications In Prosthetic Hip And Knee Replacement Surgery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$403,128.00
Summary
The demand for prosthetic joint replacement surgery will double over the next decade. Complications involving the surgical wound are a devastating complication of this surgery. This randomised controlled trial aims to investigate whether skin cleansing prior to surgical incision with alcoholic iodine reduces the number of patients with superficial wound complications when compared to alcoholic chlorhexidine. The study will be performed in patients undergoing orthopaedic joint replacement surgery ....The demand for prosthetic joint replacement surgery will double over the next decade. Complications involving the surgical wound are a devastating complication of this surgery. This randomised controlled trial aims to investigate whether skin cleansing prior to surgical incision with alcoholic iodine reduces the number of patients with superficial wound complications when compared to alcoholic chlorhexidine. The study will be performed in patients undergoing orthopaedic joint replacement surgery: a high volume, high cost surgery.Read moreRead less
Determining The Cost-effectiveness Of A Novel Australian Stroke Telemedicine Program: CAST Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$496,015.00
Summary
Urgent treatment of acute stroke in rural Australia is problematic. Telemedicine could improve delivery of acute stroke treatments in rural communities. Currently this is being investigated through the Victorian Stroke Telemedicine (VST) program by providing an acute telestroke service in 16 hospitals located in rural and regional Victoria. This project, known as CAST, forms an important sub-study for the VST program since it provides a full economic evaluation of the program.
Effectiveness Of Occupational Therapy Homevisits To Improve Participation After Stroke
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,774,083.00
Summary
This randomized controlled trial will determine the effectiveness of occupational therapy pre-discharge homevisits for people after stroke, with health economic evaluation conducted alongside to determine the cost-benefits. Recruiting adults from Australian rehabilitation hospitals, this study is designed to provide guidance for hospitals, policy-makers and clinical practice guideline developers on whether occupational therapy homevisits improve the level of community participation after stroke.
Workplace Interventions To Reduce The Cost Of Neck Problems In Office Personnel
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$660,834.00
Summary
Neck pain in office workers is a major burden in industry in terms of lost productivity and personal suffering. This research will evaluate a novel intervention for the prevention and management of neck pain in computer users. The impact and value of neck specific exercises and best practice office ergonomics will be evaluated from the employers (productivity loss) and workers perspective (severity of neck pain). The findings will directly benefit future management of this significant health iss ....Neck pain in office workers is a major burden in industry in terms of lost productivity and personal suffering. This research will evaluate a novel intervention for the prevention and management of neck pain in computer users. The impact and value of neck specific exercises and best practice office ergonomics will be evaluated from the employers (productivity loss) and workers perspective (severity of neck pain). The findings will directly benefit future management of this significant health issue.Read moreRead less
Economic Evaluation Of Alternative Pneumococcal Vaccination Strategies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$242,894.00
Summary
Pneumococcal vaccination is a readily available preventive strategy that can offer substantial protection to the elderly but it is important that we carefully evaluate the different potential strategies to ensure the most (cost-) effective approach to prevention is identified. This grant will explore alternative strategies to control pneumococcal-related disease in elderly Australians using the available vaccines.
Developing An Australian Valuation For The EQ-5D-5L Quality Of Life Instrument
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$348,357.00
Summary
In the assessment of gains resulting from a health technology, it is standard to consider both mortality and quality of life effects. This project explores how Australians value different components of quality of life. To do this, we are running an online survey called a discrete choice experiment, and analysing the data using a range of cutting-edge econometric techniques. This will allow policy-makers to better reflect people's preferences when making decisions about new technologies.
Identifying Mitochondrial Genome Variants Associated With Familial Migraine Susceptibility
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$443,273.00
Summary
New therapeutic targets for migraine are desperately needed. Although studies have identified some migraine genes there remains considerable underlying genetic variation to be characterised. This study aims to identify functional variants in the mitochondrial genome that contribute to migraine susceptibility, utilising the isolated Norfolk Island population. Outcomes will determine the significance of the variants identified, potentially leading to new diagnostics.
Identifying Novel Gene Mutations For Molecular Diagnosis Of Familial Hemiplegic Migraine
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$623,460.00
Summary
This proposal aims to identify novel FHM genes by undertaking an NGS screen of the whole exome of 209 FHM patient samples. We will test the pathological relevance of detected novel mutations by functional analysis in human cell models and using patient-specific stem cell techniques. Using whole genome NGS technology to identify novel mutations will assist in the design and development of a comprehensive NGS approach to diagnose and differentiate this severe neurological disorder.
The Male Partner Contribution To Pregnancy Immune Tolerance Deficit In Women
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,462,925.00
Summary
A complication-free pregnancy and birth of a healthy infant depends on adequate preparation of the mother's immune system to tolerate the 'foreign' fetus, Both the mother and the father contribute to establishing optimal immune tolerance. This project will determine the links between specific agents in male seminal fluid and the female immune response, and will make progress towards new diagnostic tests and treatment options for unexplained subfertility and gestational disorders.