This study proposes to examine the quality of procedural medical care provided by rural doctors who are not specialists. The disciplines of Anaesthetics, Surgery and Obstetrics will be included. Most of these services in rural Australia are not provided by specialist medical practitioners, but rather by rural general practitioners who have obtained additional training, albeit shorter than that undertaken by specialist trainees, and who are supported by skilled nurses and other health professiona ....This study proposes to examine the quality of procedural medical care provided by rural doctors who are not specialists. The disciplines of Anaesthetics, Surgery and Obstetrics will be included. Most of these services in rural Australia are not provided by specialist medical practitioners, but rather by rural general practitioners who have obtained additional training, albeit shorter than that undertaken by specialist trainees, and who are supported by skilled nurses and other health professionals in relatively small rural hospitals. Patients and rural doctors often have little choice but to manage urgent cases locally and in some cases experienced and skilled local teams are able to offer a wider range of services, including a limited number of elective procedures. Despite underlying assumptions that the quality of the services cannot match that of specialist care in larger hospitals, there is no agreement on what constitutes quality of rural procedural care and little evidence that the quality is different. This issue is important as substantial government funds are spent on recruiting, training and retaining a qualified rural medical workforce, and yet fewer rural doctors are providing these services and fewer rural hospitals have the facilities to support those rural doctors still providing the services. Further, measuring the quality of care is a complex issue on which different stakeholders may have different views. This study proposes a multi-perspective approach to assessing the quality of care through a number of case studies provided by rural doctors.Read moreRead less
Palliative Care In Aged Care Facilities For Residents With A Non-cancer Diagnosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$70,000.00
Summary
Preliminary studies have suggested there may be deficiencies in the care of residents in aged care facilities who have advanced terminal illnesses other than cancer. Aged care residents do not have access to the expertise and resources available to clients of palliative care services where cancer is the major diagnosis. This study aims to investigate the extent and nature of any deficits experienced in aged care facilities and to employ palliative care standards to develop strategies so that any ....Preliminary studies have suggested there may be deficiencies in the care of residents in aged care facilities who have advanced terminal illnesses other than cancer. Aged care residents do not have access to the expertise and resources available to clients of palliative care services where cancer is the major diagnosis. This study aims to investigate the extent and nature of any deficits experienced in aged care facilities and to employ palliative care standards to develop strategies so that any unmet needs can be addressed.Read moreRead less
The Impact Of Hospital-based Aged Care And Dementia Services On Outcomes For People With Dementia Admitted To Hospital-a
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,308,580.00
Summary
This research explores how hospital based aged care and dementia services influence outcomes for people with dementia who are admitted to hospital. Using detailed data for NSW public hospitals, it will provide information about the kinds of hospital based aged care and dementia services available to assist people with dementia, and how the level and mix of these services is associated with different patient outcomes, including lower rates of admission to hospital. There is considerable evidence ....This research explores how hospital based aged care and dementia services influence outcomes for people with dementia who are admitted to hospital. Using detailed data for NSW public hospitals, it will provide information about the kinds of hospital based aged care and dementia services available to assist people with dementia, and how the level and mix of these services is associated with different patient outcomes, including lower rates of admission to hospital. There is considerable evidence that there are many hazards for people with dementia when they are hospitalized. The project will result in recommendations about the types of services and their features which produce better outcomes for people with dementia. Every stage of the research will be guided and informed by an Expert Panel comprising representatives of dementia service consumers, aged care providers, health service planning staff and key researchers. The Panel will provide contextual information about the service environment and how it affects people with dementia. Details of the patient's complete hospital stay can be investigated by linking existing administrative datasets. Data about hospital services will be gathered through a census of NSW hospitals, supplemented with in-depth interviews with key stakeholders and small group expert discussions with experts in each Area Health Service. The research team will also visit selected hospital sites. Multilevel modelling techniques will test for statistical associations between hospital based dementia services and care outcomes including admission rates to hospital, total length of hospital stay, mortality, admission rates to hospital, and the level of patient dependency on entry to residential aged care. The model will include the influence of regional variations in the provision of community aged care packages and residential aged care and the availability of informal care. The project will include a focus on the outcomes for people with co-morbidities and for people from different culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.Read moreRead less
The Enhanced Advance Care Planning And Life Review Longitudinal Intervention (EARLI) Study: Increasing Proactive Care Planning In Australian Community Aged Care Settings
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$955,828.00
Summary
The Enhanced Advance care planning and life Review Longitudinal Intervention (EARLI) project will proactively screen older adults at high-risk of health decline and provide assistance to discuss and document preferences for future care. The intervention is implemented in the community aged care setting, through partnerships with home care providers. Expected benefits include increased rates of advance care planning, higher quality documents and improved wellbeing among older adults and carers.
Consumer Directed Care In Residential Aged Care: Transforming Practice Through The Resident At The Centre Of Care (RCC) Program
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$836,087.00
Summary
The impending introduction of Consumer Directed Care (CDC) into Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) will require organisations to respond rapidly in both ‘mindset’ and service delivery to radically change the nature of their current care practices. This project will allow our industry partners to implement and evaluate a CDC model of care that, if successful, will lead to a sustainable site specific implementation plan of CDC for RACFs across Australia with better outcomes for residents.
Promoting Independence Through Quality Dementia Care At Home (PITCH)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,541,611.00
Summary
Many people with dementia live at home with support from both paid and unpaid carers. There are currently limited opportunities for carers of people with dementia to receive education and training in how to communicate, manage symptoms and deliver person-centred care. This project will develop and trial a education and training program for front-line home care workers that aims to improve quality of care and quality of life for people with dementia and their carers.