Care-seeking, Use Of CAM, And Self-management Among People With Type 2 Diabetes And
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$663,576.00
Summary
Chronic disease and related health problems are increasing in prevalence in Australia. Recent estimates suggest that Type 2 diabetes and heart disease cost the Australian community almost $9 billion in direct costs per annum. People with chronic conditions follow medical and behavioural prescriptions variably, however, while also using complementary and alternative (CAM) therapies, practitioners, vitamins and herbs. We will explore the reasons for presentation to and use of CAM practitioners and ....Chronic disease and related health problems are increasing in prevalence in Australia. Recent estimates suggest that Type 2 diabetes and heart disease cost the Australian community almost $9 billion in direct costs per annum. People with chronic conditions follow medical and behavioural prescriptions variably, however, while also using complementary and alternative (CAM) therapies, practitioners, vitamins and herbs. We will explore the reasons for presentation to and use of CAM practitioners and therapies by people diagnosed with and under treatment for two of the most commonly diagnosed chronic conditions - cardiovascular disease and diabetes - in order to establish the relationship with adherence to their prescribed treatment. The focus is on what is described as the “drivers, costs and benefits” of the use of CAM, and how the practical interaction of CAM and conventional health care approaches may support adherence. This research program will have very important implications for the control of these diseases and individual wellbeing. Using an innovative interdisciplinary approach and a mix of research methods, the research will provide a unique evidencebase on community approaches to and use of complementary and alternative medicine, and the significance of this to current and future health needs. The program will take advantage of the interdisciplinary skills in novel ways to explore areas of health and society that have so far received limited attention. By including two PhDs, we will strengthen Australia’s research capacity in health social sciences and public health in this field, generating new skills important to population health practice and policy in this country.Read moreRead less
The Use Of A Multidrug Pill In Reducing Cardiovascular Events (UMPIRE) Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,535.00
Summary
Patients who have cardiovascular disease are at very high risk of experiencing a heart attack or stroke, and current guidelines recommend the long-term use of aspirin, blood pressure lowering drugs and a cholesterol lowering drug in such patients to reduce their risks. The proposed research will investigate whether the availability of a polypill (a single pill containing all these drugs) will help ensure patients are appropriately prescribed these treatments, and keep taking them long-term. Aust ....Patients who have cardiovascular disease are at very high risk of experiencing a heart attack or stroke, and current guidelines recommend the long-term use of aspirin, blood pressure lowering drugs and a cholesterol lowering drug in such patients to reduce their risks. The proposed research will investigate whether the availability of a polypill (a single pill containing all these drugs) will help ensure patients are appropriately prescribed these treatments, and keep taking them long-term. Australian researchers will have a pivotal role in collecting and interpreting the data in this trial. In addition, Australian researchers will combine the findings of this study with results from similar trials being conducted in Australia (1600 patients, including 600 Aboriginal participants) and New Zealand (600 patients, including 600 Maori participants). This overview will provide very accurate information about the usefulness of the polypill, and how it should be used worldwide.Read moreRead less
Needs Based Access To Specialist Palliative Care Services: Development And Evaluation Of A Consumer Toolkit
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$286,572.00
Summary
The study will test the cost-effectiveness of two models of supportive care coordination for advanced cancer against _usual care�: a Telephone Caseworker model and an Oncologist-GP model. Both models are aimed at improving patients� and their informal caregivers� health and psychosocial status; are patient-centred, evidence based and readily transferable across health care settings. The Telephone Caseworker model has the additional advantage of reaching people isolated through geography, physica ....The study will test the cost-effectiveness of two models of supportive care coordination for advanced cancer against _usual care�: a Telephone Caseworker model and an Oncologist-GP model. Both models are aimed at improving patients� and their informal caregivers� health and psychosocial status; are patient-centred, evidence based and readily transferable across health care settings. The Telephone Caseworker model has the additional advantage of reaching people isolated through geography, physical disability or age.Read moreRead less