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
Health care workers and immunity to infectious diseases
This study describes the uptake of occupational screening by staff of Bankstown and Fairfield facilities for the period 2003-2005, and report the level of immunity to the following infectious diseases: hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella and varicella.
Healthy 4 Life
The examination of the current practices of PNs, their self-efficacy and interest around child obesity prevention.
Implementing guidelines to prevent chronic disease in the community
The focus of this study is to develop innovative and evidence based strategies for implementation with both health care providers and consumers.
Integrating chronic disease self management into general practice: a scoping paper
This paper scopes the literature and programs relating to the self management in general practice.
Lifestyle risk management in the 45 year old health check in general practice
This research project will examine the implementation of the NSW GP SNAP Trial approach as part of the 45 year old health check to be implemented through general practice in November 2006, and the impact on patient lifestyle.
