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.
Completed
Projects
Centre Obesity Management and Prevention Research Excellince in Primary Health Care
COMPaRE-PHC has conducted a program of that aims to inform primary health care policy and practice in the prevention and management of obesity in disadvantaged populations across Australia.
Community Health Risk Factor Management Research Project
This study aims to increase the capacity of community health services to address chronic disease risk factors of smoking, nutrition, alcohol and physical activity as part of their normal clinical work.
Community Nursing SNAP Trial
NSW Health is funding an efficacy trial of SNAP risk factor management in community nursing services. The findings will inform policy and practice for chronic disease prevention in primary health care.
Community perceptions of waterpipe smoking use in the Arabic speaking community in the St George area
This project consists of a rapid realist review of community interventions to address the practice of waterpipe smoking. Information from the review will be used to inform the development of a qualitative research strategy to investigate the practices and perceptions of waterpipe smoking in the Arabic speaking community residing in the St George area.
