Consumer Information Materials And A Communication Aid For Diagnostic Tests For Breast Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$105,863.00
Summary
Many studies have now shown that the majority of patients want to participate in clinical decisions about medical treatments they might receive. As a result, information materials are being developed to help consumers and doctors work together to reach satisfying treatment decisions which are based on the best available evidence and also reflect the individual patient's needs and preferences about the treatment options. Very little is known, however, about whether consumers also want to particip ....Many studies have now shown that the majority of patients want to participate in clinical decisions about medical treatments they might receive. As a result, information materials are being developed to help consumers and doctors work together to reach satisfying treatment decisions which are based on the best available evidence and also reflect the individual patient's needs and preferences about the treatment options. Very little is known, however, about whether consumers also want to participate in decisions about whether to have a medical test. Tests can be trivial, such as a blood or urine test, or quite major and invasive, such as a biopsy or a colonoscopy. People considering a medical test might want to know the answers to the following questions: What is my chance of having the disease being tested for? If the test result is positive what is the chance I have the disease? If the test result is negative what is the chance I have the disease anyway? How will the test result influence treatment of my condition? What are possible side-effects of the test? Generally information materials about medical tests only describe the test itself, and do not contain the information people need to answer these questions. Even doctors may not have to hand the data needed to answer these questions. Yet without this information, consumers cannot make truly informed and rational choices about whether to have the test. This project aims to find out whether consumers want to participate in decisions about medical tests, what information they would want to do this, and to develop and trial information materials and a communication aid for a small number of breast cancer tests. We will use tests for diagnosing breast cancer as our model but we anticipate the work will be applicable across a wide range of medical tests.Read moreRead less
An Ethical Analysis Of The Disclosure Of Surgeons' Performance Data To Patients Within The Informed Consent Process
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$148,937.00
Summary
For over a decade, hospitals in the American state of New York have been collecting information about the mortality rates of surgeons conducting Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts, and making this information available to patients. The United Kingdom is set to make these and other performance indicators on the ability of surgeons ('report cards') available from 2004. There are good reasons to think a similar system may be introduced in Australia in the near future. Patients can use the information co ....For over a decade, hospitals in the American state of New York have been collecting information about the mortality rates of surgeons conducting Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts, and making this information available to patients. The United Kingdom is set to make these and other performance indicators on the ability of surgeons ('report cards') available from 2004. There are good reasons to think a similar system may be introduced in Australia in the near future. Patients can use the information contained in report cards when deciding whether or not to consent to have a particular surgeon conduct an operation on them. Contemporary bioethicists stress the importance of a proper informed consent process in medicine. This is a process in which a doctor advises a patient of relevant information and ensures that the patient comprehends that information, before the patient consents to an operation. Currently report cards in America are publicly disseminated on the internet, however there is no systematic attempt to incorporate the information contained in report cards into the informed consent process. We do not know if patients understand the information they are given, or if they incorporate it into their decision making procedures appropriately. In our study we will consider how information that is contained in report cards could best be used in the informed consent process. We will keep in mind the importance of helping patients to make their own informed decisions to consent to operations, the importance of respecting the professional integrity of surgeons and the importance of providing the best possible standard of care for patients. The result of our study will be a revised model of the informed consent process that incorporates report cards in an ethically acceptable way.Read moreRead less
Consumer Perspectives And Preferences Across The Trajectory Of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$307,946.00
Summary
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing health problem. An understanding of patient perspectives is important to alleviate the societal burden of CKD and improve patient survival, quality of life and health. This research will identify: information needs of patients with early-stage CKD, issues relevant to dialysis patients and kidney transplant recipients, and patient preferences for organ allocation. I intend to achieve this by conducting interviews, focus groups and surveys with patients ac ....Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing health problem. An understanding of patient perspectives is important to alleviate the societal burden of CKD and improve patient survival, quality of life and health. This research will identify: information needs of patients with early-stage CKD, issues relevant to dialysis patients and kidney transplant recipients, and patient preferences for organ allocation. I intend to achieve this by conducting interviews, focus groups and surveys with patients across Australia.Read moreRead less
Establishing Antenatal Screening Uptake For Fetal Anomalies In The NT And Exploring Indigenous Womens Understanding
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$9,875.00
Summary
This project aims to investigate the views of Indigenous women, their families and health service providers about antenatal screening tests for abnormalities like Down syndrome. This will contribute knowledge about why there is low uptake of screening amongst Indigenous women, and whether changes in the provision of antenatal care are required. This is important because all women, regardless of their culture or location, should be offered the same opportunities and care during pregnancy.
Primary Care: What Is Their Approach To Patients With Advanced Cancer And Those Who Require Radiotherapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$50,000.00
Summary
It is recommended that 50-60% of all cancer patients receive radiotherapy at some time in their disease. However, only 38% of all cancer patients receive radiotherapy in Australia. Advanced cancer patients may be missing out on radiotherapy because they are not referred for palliative radiotherapy. The specific aims of this study are to: Explore the primary care approach to patients with advanced cancer and particularly those who require radiotherapy; Define factors that influence how Australian ....It is recommended that 50-60% of all cancer patients receive radiotherapy at some time in their disease. However, only 38% of all cancer patients receive radiotherapy in Australia. Advanced cancer patients may be missing out on radiotherapy because they are not referred for palliative radiotherapy. The specific aims of this study are to: Explore the primary care approach to patients with advanced cancer and particularly those who require radiotherapy; Define factors that influence how Australian GPs respond to symptoms of advanced cancer; Map the patients’ perspective on current referral practice for palliative care. This project will be comprised of three stages: simulated consultations with GPs, survey of GPs and patient interviews. These methods will enable researchers to develop an understanding of the primary care approach to patients with advanced cancer and those who require radiotherapy and how patients with advanced disease are referred for treatment.Read moreRead less