Understanding barriers to the provision of pre-travel preventative health advice to migrant Australians in primary care in the post-COVID era

Project Status
Current

Primary Supervisor
A/Professor Anita Heywood

Secondary Supervisors
Professor Mark Harris, Dr Abela Mahimbo (UTS)

Aims of Project

  • Determine the knowledge, experience and needs of General Practitioners in providing pre-travel advice to international travellers in the context of the ongoing global transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
  • To investigate the barriers preventing General Practitioners from providing effective pre-travel preventative care to Australian travellers, particularly those travelling to visit friends and relatives.

Student Role

The student will undertake a review of literature of the main aspects surrounding this topic. Based on the literature review, the student will develop a survey for recording relevant and appropriate questions for the study aims. An anonymous electronic survey will be created using Survey Monkey. GPs listed on the Medical Directory of Australia database will be sourced. Introductory letters will be sent to GPs explaining the purpose of the research, and seeking their cooperation in conducting the study and a link to the online survey.

The ILP student will be responsible for developing and maintaining an online survey through surveymonkey.com. While the survey is live, the student will complete their literature review and will write up their methods section of the report. The student will have the opportunity to attend School journal clubs and other seminars.

At conclusion of the data collection the student will set up a database and clean the data – coding and data checking the responses. The student will analyse the data. Categorical data analysis will include undertaking statistical testing to determine associations between demographic and other factors and the anticipated outcomes using the chi-squared test. Final analysis will include a multiple logistic regression model.

Students will write-up and submit the final report and a paper for publication.

Learning outcomes: The student will learn the elements involved with undertaking a study using a survey including how to develop appropriate questions, implementation, coding, analysis and report writing. Students will undertake categorical data analysis. The survey will include both closed and open-ended questions - so the student will gain experience in analysing and reporting both types. 

References

  1. Zwar N, Streeton CL, Travel Health Advisory Group. Pretravel advice and hepatitis A immunization among Australian travelers. J Travel Med. 2007;14(1):31-6.
  2. Leggat PA, Seelan ST. Resources Utilized by General Practitioners for Advising Travelers from Australia. Journal of Travel Medicine. 2003;10(1):15-8.
  3. Leggat PA, Heydon JL, Menon A. A survey of general practice policies on travel medicine. J Travel Med. 1998;5(3):149-52.
  4. Heywood AE, Forssman BL, Seale H, MacIntyre CR, Zwar N. General practitioners' perception of risk for travelers visiting friends and relatives. J Travel Med. 2015;22(6):368-74.
  5. Heywood AE, Zwar N. Improving access and provision of pre-travel healthcare for travellers visiting friends and relatives: a review of the evidence. J Travel Med. 2018;25(1):doi: 10.1093/jtm/tay010.