Prevention and Management of Long Term Conditions
Description and Aims
This stream is a response to the challenge of long-term conditions to health and health care services. These conditions include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease, cancer and mental illness. They commonly occur as multi-morbidities. The aim is conduct research in the community which informs improvement in health care and programs which aim to prevent and manage these conditions.
Key Current Research Areas
Prevention
The program focuses on improving interventions to address the behavioural risk factors (especially Smoking, Nutrition, Alcohol and Physical activity) as well as physiological risk factors such as obesity and cardiovascular risk in primary health care. This uses the 5As framework (ask/assess, advise, agree and assist, arrange), approaches tailored to health literacy levels and use of wearable technology and social media.
Management
This program focuses on a patient centred approach based on the Chronic Care model and includes teamwork, information and communication systems (including e-health), self-management support and community resources. This is the focus of work on diabetes, cardiovascular disease, asthma, COPD, cancer, mental illness and multi-morbidity.
Key Partners
This research is conducted in partnership with primary health networks and local health districts along with other groups including Aboriginal Health organisations.
Stream lead
Mark Harris leads the stream.
Current
Projects
Mental Health Literacy Training and Education for the primary health workforce
CPHCE is working with a consortium (Swinburne, University, University of Newcastle and North Coast PHN) to develop education and training materials to improve mental health literacy responsiveness in primary care and specialist health settings. This project is a component of the Health Literacy Initiative that is being managed by the Mental Health Commission of NSW.
SHAReD: Shared Health Arrangements Research & Development
The SHAReD study aims to improve the coordination of care between mental health services and primary care to better manage risk factors for heart disease and diabetes and improve the health of people living with severe mental illness. It will introduce telehealth and web-based shared care plans between consumers, mental health services and general practices allowing them to better communicate with each other and plan care. We will evaluate the quality of care provided and consumers’ experience, as well as the impact on quality of life. We will weigh up the costs and benefits to inform its dissemination across NSW.
Pages
Completed
Projects
Absolute risk assessment in general practice – a pilot study to measure impact on prescribing and adherence to guidelines
Prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a priority for the Australian community and general practitioners (GPs) play a key role in this activity. This study aims to test the impact of ARA in general practice on prescribing of anti-hypertensive and lipid-lowering medications and adherence to guidelines.
Accelerometers for Monitoring Physical Activity in Primary Care Feasibility study
Physical inactivity is a growing health concern worldwide, and has been linked with multiple adverse health conditions including obesity and coronary heart disease. In Australia, more than half of the population do not meet the current recommendations for physical activity (PA). GP’s are in an excellent position to monitor PA in patients, which currently involves use of standardised questionnaires such as the GP Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPPAQ). These can be difficult to administer regularly owing to multiple factors such as lack of software integration. Our study aims to assess if accelerometers, or wrist based activity trackers, can be used in this setting as a potential new way for monitoring PA in patients at risk of physical inactivity.
Advance Care Planning in Australian Primary Care
This study explores the key stakeholders, general practitioners and patients' views on how Advance Care Planning is currently conceptualised and implemented.
An evaluation of the development, implementation, feasibility and impact of a tailored intervention to improve the quality of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples attending urban general practice
This study aims to develop and evaluate strategies to improve the acceptability of health care provided to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients who attend mainstream general practice in urban Sydney.
