Evaluation Of The Incorporation Of WHO Guidelines Into Post-graduate Medical Curriculum; The Impact On Quality Of Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$130,704.00
Summary
There is abundant evidence that many patients do not receive medical treatments of proven effectiveness. This is even more apparent in developing countries. Strategies to improve use of proven treatments is needed. Our research aims to evaluate an educational program for doctors in Lao PDR, based on World Health Organisation guidelines for the care of sick children in hospitals, including the impact on the knowledge of doctors and on the quality of care in the hospitals in which they work.
Evaluating Neonatal Intensive Care For Tiny Babies In The 2000s - Is It Still Effective, Efficient And Available?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$246,333.00
Summary
Most extremely tiny babies, those of birthweight less than 1000 g, need intensive care to survive. However some survivors have substantial problems with their long-term health. Since intensive care is costly we must be sure that it is money well spent. From the late 1970s until the late 1990s in the state of Victoria neonatal intensive care has been increasingly effective, with large increases in the long-term survival rate, from 25% in 1979-80, to 73% in 1997. Its efficiency has been relatively ....Most extremely tiny babies, those of birthweight less than 1000 g, need intensive care to survive. However some survivors have substantial problems with their long-term health. Since intensive care is costly we must be sure that it is money well spent. From the late 1970s until the late 1990s in the state of Victoria neonatal intensive care has been increasingly effective, with large increases in the long-term survival rate, from 25% in 1979-80, to 73% in 1997. Its efficiency has been relatively high and stable over time, comparing favorably with many other health care programmes, both intensive and non-intensive. It has been increasingly available, with fewer than 10% of ELBW infants born outside major hospitals with intensive care nurseries, and more tiny babies offered intensive care. We now need to know if these benefits have been maintained for tiny babies born in the 2000s. Hence we need to assess the long-term health of tiny babies born in Victoria in 2005.Read moreRead less
A Centre Of Research Excellence In Adolescent Health: Making Health Services Work For Adolescents In A Digital Age
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,496,295.00
Summary
Developmentally appropriate adolescent healthcare must be inter-disciplinary, with sound communication and acknowledging increasing autonomy; not easily accommodated within traditional paediatric and adult models of care. Our diverse team of experts will work with young people, parents, policy makers and service providers to create principles of cost-effective, equitable and accessible healthcare for adolescents, making best use of present-day health services and modern digital technologies.
Improving Community Approaches For Common Childhood Conditions.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$478,602.00
Summary
Melissa’s end goal is community-based strategies that effectively prevent or manage common childhood conditions, which she addresses via four distinct yet unified programs of research (language-literacy, hearing loss, obesity, and early mental health-behaviour). All four programs are guided by long-term strategic plans that include advocacy and translation as central tenets. A further focus is research capacity-building in these areas via her substantial doctoral-postdoctoral programs.
I am a neonatologist interested in improving the outcomes of graduates of neonatal intensive care units. Currently the focus of my research is stabilisation immediately following birth and my research portfolio ranges from bench-top and animal studies thr
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of A Community-based Weight Management Intervention In Obese Adolescents
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$79,534.00
Summary
This research will explore various aspects of managing overweight and obesity in adolescence, including a review of previous studies. The central focus will be participants' weight, health and behavioral outcomes in a randomised controlled trial of a community-based weight management program for 13-16 year olds. A focus group study will be conducted to increase understanding of parent-adolescent communication regarding overweight and the decision to seek treatment.
Vaginal Progesterone For The Prevention Of Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome - A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$935,107.00
Summary
Respiratory distress syndrome is a significant problem for babies born preterm. For these babies, a significant number will require support for their breathing. These babies are also at increased risk of dying, and in survivors, there is a risk of long-term disability. It is uncertain if giving vaginal progesterone therapy during pregnancy to women who have had a previous preterm birth can reduce these risks.
Cumulative Harm: Reducing child abuse through improved decision-making. In 2005/06 56,000 cases of child abuse were substantiated in Australia, and this figure is rising exponentially. Disillusionment is growing with an incident based approach to children's safety which fails to either acknowledge or intervene effectively in the cumulative effects of harm to the child's development and well-being. This project uses the leverage of new legislation to re-focus on an earlier intervention with vulne ....Cumulative Harm: Reducing child abuse through improved decision-making. In 2005/06 56,000 cases of child abuse were substantiated in Australia, and this figure is rising exponentially. Disillusionment is growing with an incident based approach to children's safety which fails to either acknowledge or intervene effectively in the cumulative effects of harm to the child's development and well-being. This project uses the leverage of new legislation to re-focus on an earlier intervention with vulnerable children at risk of cumulative harm within a hospital setting. An interdisciplinary lens is bought to the development of new knowledge to provide a better and healthier start to life for this group of children.Read moreRead less
Vaginal Progesterone For The Prevention Of Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome - A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,243,111.00
Summary
Respiratory Distress Syndrome is a significant problem for babies born very preterm (at less than 34 weeks of pregnancy). For these babies, over 90% will require support for their breathing. These babies are also at increased risk of dying, and in survivors, there is a risk of long-term disability. It is uncertain if giving vaginal progesterone therapy during pregnancy to women who have had a previous preterm birth can reduce these risks. This randomised controlled trial will assess the use of v ....Respiratory Distress Syndrome is a significant problem for babies born very preterm (at less than 34 weeks of pregnancy). For these babies, over 90% will require support for their breathing. These babies are also at increased risk of dying, and in survivors, there is a risk of long-term disability. It is uncertain if giving vaginal progesterone therapy during pregnancy to women who have had a previous preterm birth can reduce these risks. This randomised controlled trial will assess the use of vaginal progesterone therapy for women at risk of preterm birth as a means of reducing the risk of neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome and improving the outcomes of their babies.Read moreRead less
Early School-Age Outcomes After Exposure To Repeat Prenatal Corticosteroids - A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,083,964.00
Summary
AIMS OF THE RESEARCH We have recently concluded a large clinical trial in Australia and New Zealand of repeat dose of antenatal corticosteroids given to women who were likely to deliver their baby too early (before 34 weeks of pregnancy). We have been able to show that repeat doses of corticosteroids before birth significantly reduces the risk of the baby developing respiratory difficulties after birth from 41.4% to 32.8%. However, we are not sure if this potentially important improvement will t ....AIMS OF THE RESEARCH We have recently concluded a large clinical trial in Australia and New Zealand of repeat dose of antenatal corticosteroids given to women who were likely to deliver their baby too early (before 34 weeks of pregnancy). We have been able to show that repeat doses of corticosteroids before birth significantly reduces the risk of the baby developing respiratory difficulties after birth from 41.4% to 32.8%. However, we are not sure if this potentially important improvement will translate into better outcomes for the children as they grow older and reach school-age. As there are many examples of treatments given around the time of birth that have been shown to have some short-term benefits, but substantial long-term harms, we must be as certain as we can be that any advance in one small area of health is not counterbalanced by disadvantages in other health areas. This is particularly important to find out for repeat antenatal corticosteroids given the earlier conflicting reports from non-randomised studies. We plan to assess the 1085 survivors from our earlier clinical trial of repeat dose of prenatal corticosteroids when they are of early school age. We will assess their movement and other important areas of their brain function, as well as their school progress, blood pressure, lung function and general health and growth. EXPECTED OUTCOMES OF THE RESEARCH If we find important improvements in health outcomes at school-age in children exposed to repeat corticosteroids, without any substantial couterbalancing adverse effects, repeat steroids will be recommended standard therapy in women who are likely to give birth to their baby very early. This will lead to a reduction in the burden of ill health.Read moreRead less