Better Methods To Collect Self-report Data On Alcohol Use Behaviours From Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Australians
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,211,435.00
Summary
This project will develop, refine and trial a tablet computer tool for assessing drinking among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. This tool will ‘speak’ to the person (in local language if needed) and use an engaging touchscreen display; it will add up amount consumed if a person shares alcohol or drinks from non-standard containers. The tool will help provide accurate survey data for service planning and community feedback, and can be adapted for healthcare screening.
Using Health Literacy (HL) Approaches To Develop And Apply Interventions To Improve Health Services And Generate Equitable Health Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$697,209.00
Summary
Health literacy is the ability to find, understand and use health information and healthcare services effectively. The Fellowship will advance the understanding of health literacy. It will determine how poor health literacy might cause health inequalities and with this information, develop and test interventions to improve the response of the healthcare system. The research will make it easier for disadvantaged and vulnerable people to get care, be understood and have their needs recognised and ....Health literacy is the ability to find, understand and use health information and healthcare services effectively. The Fellowship will advance the understanding of health literacy. It will determine how poor health literacy might cause health inequalities and with this information, develop and test interventions to improve the response of the healthcare system. The research will make it easier for disadvantaged and vulnerable people to get care, be understood and have their needs recognised and met.Read moreRead less
Cancer disparities exist between rural and metropolitan patients. Inferior survival outcomes are reported for rural residents, which can amount to a 7% difference in 5-year survival proportions. Factors implicated include: socio-economic disadvantage, limited access to specialist services, later diagnosis, and poorer treatment. Little is known about the decision-making process of patients. This research project examines patients’ preferences for cancer treatment, and whether there are difference ....Cancer disparities exist between rural and metropolitan patients. Inferior survival outcomes are reported for rural residents, which can amount to a 7% difference in 5-year survival proportions. Factors implicated include: socio-economic disadvantage, limited access to specialist services, later diagnosis, and poorer treatment. Little is known about the decision-making process of patients. This research project examines patients’ preferences for cancer treatment, and whether there are differences depending on geographical location.Read moreRead less
Nutritional And Genetic Factors Associated With Genome Damage In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$715,131.00
Summary
This project will investigate the link between children's diet and damage to their DNA. Damage to DNA is known to accumulate throughout life, and to be associated with risk of cancer and other diseases in adulthood. If we can show that poor diet in childhood increases DNA damage in childhood, it suggests that poor diet early in life may also increase risk of cancer and other diseases in adulthood. This will underpin important, salient health promotion messages we can provide to parents.
Validation And Implementation Of A Diabetic Retinopathy Quality Of Life Item Bank
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$468,362.00
Summary
The current proposal will validate a comprehensive diabetic retinopathy quality of life item bank using a computer adaptive testing system in an Australian, and Singapore-Chinese, -Malay and -Indian sample. The national and international translational applications of the final item bank for researchers, clinicians and policy planners will be substantial, allowing the outcomes of novel treatment therapies for diabetic retinopathy to be accurately assessed from the patient’s perspective resulting ....The current proposal will validate a comprehensive diabetic retinopathy quality of life item bank using a computer adaptive testing system in an Australian, and Singapore-Chinese, -Malay and -Indian sample. The national and international translational applications of the final item bank for researchers, clinicians and policy planners will be substantial, allowing the outcomes of novel treatment therapies for diabetic retinopathy to be accurately assessed from the patient’s perspective resulting in better allocation of funding and resources.Read moreRead less
A System For Measurement Of Vision-specific Quality Of Life Using Item Banking And Computer Adaptive Testing (ViSBank)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$831,155.00
Summary
When evaluating medical treatments, it is important to consider all effects from the patient’s perspective; their quality of life. This project utilises new technology to develop an adaptable, computerised, internet-based system to measure the effects of eye diseases and their treatments on patients’ quality of life. This system will provide for more accurate, precise and efficient measurement than existing methods.
Development Of A Health-related Quality Of Life Instrument For Children With Cerebral Palsy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$114,000.00
Summary
This project aims to develop and test a measure of quality of life for children with cerebral palsy (CP). This is a new project of international significance that has been recommended as the highest research priority of the United Cerebral Palsy Association with the strong support of CP researchers and clinicians internationally. CP remains the most common cause of physical disability in childhood, with an incidence of 2-2.0-2.5 per 1,000 live births. Described as a 'non-progressive motor impair ....This project aims to develop and test a measure of quality of life for children with cerebral palsy (CP). This is a new project of international significance that has been recommended as the highest research priority of the United Cerebral Palsy Association with the strong support of CP researchers and clinicians internationally. CP remains the most common cause of physical disability in childhood, with an incidence of 2-2.0-2.5 per 1,000 live births. Described as a 'non-progressive motor impairment of central origin recognised in infancy or childhood', CP presents as a static lesion on the brain characterised by progressive muscoskeletal deformity. Its impact on children and families is profound, resulting in extensive and life-long burden of care for families, and significant limitations to children's development and wellbeing. The management of the neuromuscular sequelae and health problems is a considerable cost to the health system because children require frequent visits for medical management, surgical procedures and rehabilitation. Trials of CP management effectiveness are hampered by the absence of patient outcome measures. Whilst new treatment options aim to provide substantial improvements in impairment and functioning they have disadvantages. For example, spasticity management includes Botulinum toxin A and intrathecal baclofen, both may improve function but are costly and invasive; treatments for ambulation (multi-level orthopaedic surgery) offer improved gait and mobility but require extensive rehabilitation; treatments for severe eating difficulties and poor growth (gastrostomy) may improve survival but result in aggravation of gastro-oesophageal reflux; and surgery for intractable epilepsy may improve seizure disorder but result in functional deficits. Quality of life is now a mandatory component of clinical trial research; valid and reliable tools sensitive to detecting change are urgently required.Read moreRead less
Designing for wellbeing: realizing benefits for patients through best practice hospital design. The environmental design of healthcare facilities has been shown to directly affect the wellbeing of patients and their families. Poorly designed environments exacerbate patient anxiety and stress and diminish their healthcare experience. Environments designed to support a patient’s wellbeing result in improved health outcomes. Building upon Australia’s international leadership in contemporary hospita ....Designing for wellbeing: realizing benefits for patients through best practice hospital design. The environmental design of healthcare facilities has been shown to directly affect the wellbeing of patients and their families. Poorly designed environments exacerbate patient anxiety and stress and diminish their healthcare experience. Environments designed to support a patient’s wellbeing result in improved health outcomes. Building upon Australia’s international leadership in contemporary hospital design, this project aims to evaluate, prioritise and strategise the best means for realising benefits of environmental design factors that contribute most significantly to achieving positive outcomes for patients and families. It aims to achieve this through a comprehensive comparative case study analysis of new Australian paediatric hospitals.Read moreRead less