Personality disorders are serious psychiatric disorders. Despite this, the prevalence of these disorders in the Australian community is largely unknown, as is their influence on physical and other mental health conditions and impact on Australia’s medical and mental health care services. This epidemiological study will answer these questions, with the aim of informing public health planning and service delivery practices and prompting future health economic research in this area.
Questions Of Autonomy And Patient Protection In Respect Of Refusals Of Medical Treatment.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$78,492.00
Summary
The aim of the research is to critically evaluate: 1) the right to autonomy in health care, and the parameters of countervailing ethical considerations including the need to protect vulnerable people; and 2) the current legal framework through which these competing ethical considerations above are balanced, including the law of consent to medical treatment and mental health schemes providing for involuntary treatment of patients.
The Development, Implementation And Evaluation Of A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Dietary Improvement As A Treatment Strategy For Major Depression.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$71,047.00
Summary
The SMILES trial: “Supporting the Modification of lifestyle In Lowered Emotional States" is a randomised controlled trial that aims to investigate the efficacy and cost-efficacy of dietary improvement in the treatment of Major Depressive Episodes (MDE). My PhD is embedded within this RCT. We hypothesise that a structured dietary intervention, focusing on dietary improvement (a Modified Mediterranean diet), will be superior to a control condition (social support) in the treatment of MDE.
An Early Intervention To Prevent Muscle Weakness In Intensive Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$82,607.00
Summary
Patients commonly suffer from a debilitating and globally pronounced weakness post intensive care admission. The causes and ways to prevent this weakness are not fully understood. This study will investigate the benefits of early exercise involving electrical stimulation of the leg muscles during in-bed cycling and will compare changes in muscle size and strength compared to usual care. We will also examine why muscles become weak so quickly, to help target future treatments to prevent weakness.
Optimisation Of Beta-lactam Antibiotic Therapy As A Strategy To Improve Efficacy And Combat The Emergence Of Resistance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$122,714.00
Summary
Antibiotic resistance is a global health priority that threatens to compromise advances in modern medicine to return practices to the pre-antibiotic era. Critically ill and patients with impaired immune function represent a vulnerable group who struggle to fight infections and who rely heavily on lifesaving antibiotics. This project aims to investigate how the efficacy of antibiotics can be optimised to prevent the emergence of resistance and preserve their effectiveness for the future.
Self-compassion: Promoting Resilience And Wellbeing In Adolescent Populations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$68,946.00
Summary
The importance of targeting early symptoms of poor mental health in adolescence cannot be underestimated. Self-compassion is linked with psychological wellbeing and may serve as a protective mechanism against psychopathological trajectories. I will investigate self-compassion in adolescence, and develop two early-intervention programs; for a high-school and a chronic illness population. To investigate this, my PhD will involve 2 empirical studies, meta-analysis, and 2 intervention studies.
Developing A Psychological Model Of Care For Adolescents And Young Adults With Complex Congenital Heart Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$86,117.00
Summary
Adolescents and young adults with complex congenital heart disease face many challenges including the need for lifelong cardiac surveillance, medication, and navigating normal transitions such as developing independence; factors which place the individual at risk of psychological morbidity. Determining risk factors contributing to loss to follow-up and psychological morbidity is needed to develop evidence-based psychological interventions, which are strongly recommended but currently lacking.
Implementing Safewards In Victoria: Evaluating Acceptability And Outcomes For Consumers And Staff
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$81,802.00
Summary
Safewards is a theory and specific strategies for inpatient mental health services, intended to create a safer and more supportive environment. Safewards was trialled in Victorian wards, this project will utilise the information collected in the trial. It aims to understand the impact of the implementation of Safewards from the perspectives of consumers and staff. Ultimately my research will provide evidence about the appropriateness of Safewards in Victorian mental health inpatient services.
Through this project, I will determine how diet and physical activity can improve the health and quality of life of people suffering from chronic kidney disease. I will also assess whether lifestyle interventions have the potential to prevent chronic kidney disease. My results will directly impact the lives of people with kidney disease and could lead to public health interventions to prevent kidney disease.
The Menstrual Cycle, Menopause And Gender Specific Health Needs Of Women With Complex Medical And Psychiatric Conditions.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$149,982.00
Summary
The great advances in medical science mean that women are living longer, sometimes with very complex conditions.The aim of this study is to determine how common women’s health issues are in women who have had a lung or bone marrow transplant and in women with severe mental illness. The study will involve face to face interview with women and then a survey of a larger number of women. The study will help improve the care and quality of life of women who already face significant health challenges.