- RCBI staff, Prof.Nicholas Zwar and Dr Sarah Dennis have been busy working on a systematic review looking at workforce and skill mix funded by the Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute (APHCRI). The review found that task substitution between pharmacists and GPs and nurses and GPs resulted in an improved process of care and patient outcomes, and that pharmacists and nurses can effectively provide disease management and/or health promotion for older people with chronic disease in primary care with no reduction in health service use. The full systematic review can be accessed from the APHCRI website.
Sarah Dennis, Jenny May, David Perkins, Nicholas Zwar, Bonnie Sibbald and Iqbal Hasan. What evidence is there to support skill mix changes between GPs, pharmacists, practice nurses in the care of elderly people living in the community? Australia and New Zealand Health Policy 2009, 6:23.
Amoroso C, Harris MF, Ampt M, Laws RA, McKenzie S, Williams AM, Jayasinghe UW, Zwar NA, Powell Davies G. Health check for 45-49 year old patients in general practice: feasibility and impact on practices and patient behaviour. Australian Family Physician. 2009: 358-362
Opportunities to participate in research
Would you like to get involved with a UNSW led research project?
Referral Pathways In Colorectal Cancer ProjectWe are conducting a Cancer Australia funded research project examining referral pathways for patients with a new diagnosis of colorectal cancer.
The experiences of patients, surgeons, and GPs are important for helping us to improve care. We are interested in talking with people about referral pathways after colorectal cancer is diagnosed, factors affecting the choice of specialist treatment, expectations when a patient is referred, and views on information and support.
If you are interested in participating, please contact the project co-ordinator
Dr Shane Pascoe T 9385 1547 or
E s.pascoe@unsw.edu.au
Project Updates
ART: Absolute risk trial
Aim to determine the most effective way to manage patients with risk factors for cardiovascular disease in primary care.
Update: Trial underway in 4 divisions of General Practice, 36 GPs are participating with training in the use of the Cardiovascular Absolute Risk Assessment Calculator has been completed by GPs in group 1. Over 1100 patients returning consent forms and questionnaires.
Contact Project coordinator
Dr Elizabeth Denny - Wilson E e.denney-wilson@unsw.edu.au
HIPS: Health Improvement and Prevention Study
Aim to evaluate the impact of recalling patients to general practice to assess their risk of chronic disease and assist them to lower their risk by changes to smoking, diet, alcohol consumption and physical activitiy behavours.
Update The project has recruited 30 practices from 5 divisions are involved (including 63 staff and over 800 patients. Most of the high risk patients in the intervention group have enrolled in the CHANGE program and completed their sessions. Patient feedback has been positive and indicates promising results. Collection of patient (6 monthly) surveys are currently being completed.
Contact Project coordinator
Dr Mahnaz Fanaian E m.fanaian@unsw.edu.au
NSW GP Sentinel Surveillance scheme for Influenza (GPSS)
Aim: The GPSS was established by NSW Public Health to monitor influenza like illness activity in the community as part of the response to the H1N1 influenza 2009 Pandemic.
Update: Twenty four practices were recruited from across NSW (including South West Sydney). PHReNet-GPs, were amongst the GPs approached to participate in this scheme. Practices were involved collecting data on the Pandemic. As of 26 August 2009 there has been 5018 cases with laboratory confirmed H1N1 influenza 09 reported in NSW. (Source Weekly GP Sentinel Surveillance Influenza Report, NSW. Date: 27 July to 13 August 2009)
PHReNet training opportunities
Our September PHReNet Evidence Based Practice Journal Club. Thank you to Dr Peter Edwards for hosting this event.
Upcoming
23 October -
PHReNet / IGPE Research Seminar in conjuction with the Institute of General Practice Education at
GP unit Fairfield Hospital.
29 October -
How to design a questionnaire or survey workshop at
Illawarra Division of General Practice.
17 November -
Writing group on
writing a research study protocol at
GP unit Fairfield Hospital.
4 December -
Getting published workshop at
GP unit Fairfield Hospital
See our
Training page or our updated
2009 Program of training and support activities for details.
External training opportunities
Need to analyse your qalitative data?
Sydney 12-13 October - Nvivo8 Fundamentals training workshop.
Information
W www.qsrinternational.com or
E training@qsrinternational.com
Need to run a group or workshop?
Sydney 13 October - Facilitation Skills Workshop - Enabling Change.
Information
W www.enablingchange.com.au or
E les@enablingchange.com.au
Working with community members or groups?
Sydney 15 October - Motivating Community Action Workshop - Enabling Change.
Information
W www.enablingchange.com.au or
E les@enablingchange.com.au
Designing community-based health programs to address the needs of marginalised and disadvantaged communities - Workshop
Mary Mackillop Place,North Sydney 2 November
Information RSVP 15 October
E k.travouillon@unsw.edu.au or
T 9385 1547
Longitudinal Methods Workshop
Canberra 12-13 November - FaHCSIA and the Australian Research Alliance for Children & Youth (ARACY). The workshop brings together researchers and policy makers involved in longitudinal research.
Information
W www.aracy.org.au
Centre for refugee research - UNSW
Sydney 3 - 6 November - UNSW
2 - 4 November Community Consultations Using Reciprical Research
5 - 6 November Responding to Refugee Women and Girls at Risk: From Asylum to Australia
Information
E rebecca.eckert@unsw.edu.au
Funding opportunities
Liverpool City Council Community Donations Program
Funding to assist in providing programs and services which meet identified community needs in three donation categories – youth (individuals), school and general community donations.
W www.liverpool.nsw.gov.au/communitydonationsprogram.htm
Deadline 9 October 2009
Asthma Foundation NSW - Research Program 2010
- Innovation Grants - open to all researchers project grants up to $45,000.
- New Investigator Grants - individuals who have previously not been named as a cheif investigator on a national competitive grant - up to $25,000
- Asthma PhD Scholarships
- Khancoban travel grants - to support early development of young asthma researchers travelling to a research institution scientific meeting or conference - grant up to $2,000.
W www.asthmansw.org.au
Deadline 16 October 2009
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation - travel grant Travel grants of up to $2,000 are being offered to allied health professionals for the purpose of presenting their research relevant to Type 1 (juvenile) diabetes.
W www.jdrf.org.au/type-1-diabetes-research/travel-grants
Deadline 23 October 2009
Australian Podiatry Education and Research Foundation
Research Grants Program Funding up to $50,000
W www.apodc.com.au/Research%20Foundation.html
Deadline: 31 October 2009
Conferences and other events
2009 Food Summit - Hungry for Change
Sydney October 22-23
W www.sydneyfoodfairness.org.au/sffa-food-summit
E summit@sydneyfoodfairness.org.au
Improving quality of care for patients with a chronic illness in general practice
Lecture by Dr Stephen Campbell
UNSW CPHCE 12:30 - 1:30pm October 26.
RSVP 17 October
W www.cphce.unsw.edu.au
E cphce@unsw.edu.au
New approaches to achieve reach and effectiveness of prevention programs for disadvantaged women
Seminar by Dr Julie Will, Senior Epidemiologist with the Center for Disease Control
UNSW CPHCE 12:00 - 1:00pm October 29.
RSVP 15 October
W www.cphce.unsw.edu.au
E cphce@unsw.edu.au
2009 Australian General Practice Network Forum
Sydney November 4-7
W www.gpnetworkforum.com.au
E twong@agpn.com.au
PHReNetic e-bulletin feedback E s.mehmet@unsw.edu.au