Complicated grief represents a major demand on health services, productivity levels, and adversely influences mental and physical health. Despite the enormous social and economic costs of complicated grief, there are currently no controlled trials of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for complicated grief. This study addresses this gap in our knowledge by testing the efficacy of CBT in reducing grief reactions. Participants (120) will be randomly allocated to either 10 sessions of CBT or 10 sess ....Complicated grief represents a major demand on health services, productivity levels, and adversely influences mental and physical health. Despite the enormous social and economic costs of complicated grief, there are currently no controlled trials of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for complicated grief. This study addresses this gap in our knowledge by testing the efficacy of CBT in reducing grief reactions. Participants (120) will be randomly allocated to either 10 sessions of CBT or 10 sessions of supportive counselling. Participants will be assessed before and after treatment, as well as 6 months after treatment. Overall, this project will provide an evidence base to guide clinicians in Australia and internationally in regards to treating people suffering the effects of persistent complicated grief.Read moreRead less
How Do Risk Factors For Complicated Grief Identified Before Death Contribute To Outcomes For The Bereaved?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$137,000.00
Summary
By identifying if complicated grief risk factors lead to complicated grief after the death of a loved one, early intervention can be targeted to maximize benefit. This study will consult bereaved individuals before and after the death to assess protective and risk factors associated with complicated grief outcomes. Complicated grief is poorly understood, yet research has shown that it is associated with poorer mental and physical health. The findings are expected to be relevant to bereavement se ....By identifying if complicated grief risk factors lead to complicated grief after the death of a loved one, early intervention can be targeted to maximize benefit. This study will consult bereaved individuals before and after the death to assess protective and risk factors associated with complicated grief outcomes. Complicated grief is poorly understood, yet research has shown that it is associated with poorer mental and physical health. The findings are expected to be relevant to bereavement services, and have significance locally and abroad.Read moreRead less
Randomised Comparison Of Fluid Resuscitation With Human Albumin Solution Or Normal Saline Among Critically Ill Patients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$611,728.00
Summary
Human albumin solution is widely used for the emergency treatment of severely ill patients requiring fluid replacement, both in Australia and worldwide. However, a recent report suggests that compared to the other standard treatment (salt solution), the use of human albumin solution may be associated with a higher death rate (about six additional deaths among every one hundred patients treated). But, this report was based on data from a relatively small number of patients among whom there was a ....Human albumin solution is widely used for the emergency treatment of severely ill patients requiring fluid replacement, both in Australia and worldwide. However, a recent report suggests that compared to the other standard treatment (salt solution), the use of human albumin solution may be associated with a higher death rate (about six additional deaths among every one hundred patients treated). But, this report was based on data from a relatively small number of patients among whom there was a relatively small number of deaths, and there is widespread uncertainty among doctors about the reliability of the evidence and the implications for patient care. This is reflected in the large difference between intensive care units in the use of human albumin solution (in Australia, its use ranges from 10-90% of all patients needing fluid). Human albumin solution costs, about thirty times more than salt solution, and during 1998 more than 200,000 bottles of human albumin solution were administered to patients in Australia, at a cost of about A$35 million. In an effort to provide definitive evidence about the effects (and cost-effectiveness) of fluid replacement with human albumin solution, the Australia and New Zealand Intensive Care Society, in collaboration with the Australian Red Cross Blood Services and the Institute for International Health, has proposed the conduct of new large-scale study (SAFE - Saline vs Albumin Fluid Evaluation). This study will involve 7,000 patients from 15 intensive care units in Australia and New Zealand. These patients (all of whom require fluid replacement) will be randomly assigned to receive either human albumin solution or salt solution and outcome in terms of deaths and other serious events will be monitored over 28 days. Results will be available within 2 years of starting the study, and these are likely to influence the care of the majority of seriously ill patients admitted to intensive care units worldwide.Read moreRead less