Integration And Implementation Of Deprescribing Recommendations To Reduce Medication Induced Harm
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,544,073.00
Summary
Older people in Australia commonly take multiple medicines for their health conditions. As people age and their health changes, medicines that were once helpful may become harmful. This research program will investigate how we can enhance treatment guidelines and use these guidelines in practice to increase discontinuation of unnecessary and potentially harmful medicines. This will lead to reduced medicine induced harm and may improve the quality of life of older Australians.
Premature Mortality Post Fracture:A NSW Linked Data Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$391,012.00
Summary
Osteoporotic fractures are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Anti-osteoporosis medications reduce re-fracture and possibly morality, yet osteoporosis is poorly treated. This study will link information from >260,000 people (45&Up study) with hospital admissions, medications and deaths to create the largest, detailed dataset of its kind. We will be able to determine cause of any fracture-associated mortality and the effect of medication to improve osteoporosis management.
Pain is a prevalent condition and a major cause of disease burden. The research program will address important questions in the clinical management of pain to reduce its the enormous burden. The program will: 1) investigate whether opioid medicines and oral steroids are effective in treating acute low back pain and neck pain, and sciatica, and 2) assess and improve the appropriate use of strong pain medicines in primary care.
Team Approach To Polypharmacy Evaluation And Reduction For General Practice Patients With Dementia: The Australian TAPERdem Study.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$586,840.00
Summary
Dementia frequently coexists with other chronic conditions, posing a challenge to optimise medication use. Suboptimal pharmacological management of comorbidities exacerbates the rate of functional decline of PWD. The present study will determine to what extent improved medication management produces better health and functional outcomes for PWD.
A Phase III Randomised Placebo-controlled Trial Of Mirtazapine As A Pharmacotherapy For Methamphetamine (Ice) Dependence
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,923,009.00
Summary
Crystalline methamphetamine ('ice') is a growing concern in Australia. There are no approved medications that can be used to treat dependence on this drug. This clinical trial will examine whether mirtazapine, a newly identified treatment agent for methamphetamine use, can be used safely and effectively in routine clinical care to manage methamphetamine dependence in Australia.
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Deprescribing To Optimise Medical Therapy For Frail Older People: The Opti-Med Study.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,444,996.00
Summary
Many older people living in residential aged care facilities (RACF) are prescribed medications of uncertain benefit. The primary aim of the Opti-med study is to determine the safety and benefits of reducing the number of medications prescribed to frail older people in RACF. We will withdraw as many medications as possible from participants in the intervention group. Our study will provide randomised controlled data on the safety and efficacy of ceasing medications in frail older people.
Optimising EHealth Systems To Improve Medication Safety And Patient Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Electronic medication management systems are being implemented across the Australian health system. These systems have the potential to improve patient outcomes, but also have risks. This research will examine these benefits and risks in two vulnerable populations: children and the elderly. Novel research methods will be used to evaluate high risk medicine use and associated errors; and design interventions to improve their safety in two paediatric hospitals and 75 aged care facilities.
Australasian Partnership For Improving Outcomes In Severe Depression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$909,752.00
Summary
This 5-year project examines how proven treatments are used in real-world clinical practice, and how this can be improved. The project focuses on important physical interventions for depression: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), Ketamine, repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS). The use of ECT to treat schizophrenia will also be examined. The research team will partner with clinical service providers and a government health department.
Deprescribing In Frail Older People: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$269,235.00
Summary
Frail older people are often prescribed unnecessary medications. We will test whether stopping some of their medication improves longevity, sleep quality and independence and reduces confusion and falls. We will stop medication that does not provide any overall benefit or is thought to be harmful in older people. We will monitor our volunteers frequently for adverse effects and re-start their medicines if necessary. We hope to show that it is safe to stop many medications in frail older people.
A National Aged Care Medication Roundtable - Translating Aged Care Data Into Action To Improve Quality Of Care Through Collaboration And Co-design
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,444,499.00
Summary
Older Australians with the most complex health needs live in residential care. Greater than 80% of residents are on five or more medications daily, and 40% are taking 10 or more. Poor medication management is the greatest source of complaint to the Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission. This project will provide timely information to a group of providers and consumers about the medicines residents receive, identify problem areas and trial innovative interventions to address these issues.