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Country Health SA - Research
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The following information is presented in order to highlight the breadth of research that is undertaken within rural and remote locations in country South Australia. You will note that collaboration occurs across many government and non-government sectors.
If you are interested in collaborating with any of the current researchers, please feel free to email them directly.
If you are interested in working in a rural or remote location in South Australia in order to pursue a research interest, please contact Margaret.McCallum@health.sa.gov.au
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Patient Journey Coordinator (PJC) – Mt Barker
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An evaluation of the Patient Journey Coordinator role was undertaken at the request of the Executive Officer/Director of Nursing and Midwifery.
A range of evaluation methods were used, including literature search and review of discharge planning and transitional care; use of case studies from the PJC to explore how the role operates, and a patient and allied health staff satisfaction survey to gain their views about the process of discharge planning and transitioning care at Mt Barker District Services Memorial Hospital.
For a summary of the findings or any other information contact Sally Day, Patient Journey Coordinator, Country Health SA Hospital Inc, Mount Barker District SM Hospital via email sally.day@health.sa.gov.au
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A Phenomenological Study of the experience in functional decline of older people
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Sheree Penney led a research study in 2007 titled “A Phenomenological Study of the experience in functional decline of older people” and has submitted an abstract for a poster of this study to the 2010 Australian Association of Gerontology SA/NT Conference "The Ageing North". This has been accepted for presentation in Darwin during the conference in August. The poster highlights the link between healthy ageing, social inclusion and remaining connected to the community.
Further research will be undertaken next year, in partnership with Lyn Helbig, Aged Care Nurse Practitioner, Barossa Village, to investigate a qualitative study into the Nurse Practitioner roles development and benefits to clients, profession and the healthcare system. This is in the initial stages of concept development. For further information contact Sheree Penney, RN BN Grad Dip (Nurs), MNSc (Nurse Practitioner), Nurse Practitioner Candidate, Improving Health Outcomes for the Older Person, Country Health SA - Wallaroo Hospital & Health campus via email sheree.penney@health.sa.gov.au.
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Allied Health Staff in South Australia’s Spencer Gulf region are working together to conduct research into the availability and effectiveness of pressure reduction treatments for people with ulcers on the soles of their feet. Foot ulcers in people with diabetes are a major cause of morbidity and disability. Foot complications are the most common cause of hospital admissions for people with diabetes and foot injuries are the most common non-traumatic cause of lower limb amputation. Approximately 3,400 lower limb amputations, which can be directly related to diabetes, are performed each year. These leg amputations are preceded by foot ulcers in 80% of cases in the diabetic neuropathic foot.
The proposed research will be conducted in 2 stages, (1) A retrospective exploratory study of risk factors, management strategies and compliance with treatment, for people with plantar foot ulcers in the Spencer Gulf Region and (2) an experimental study comparing ulcer healing rates of two treatment interventions used in the Spencer Gulf Region. The Amfit and the Custom Made EVA Foot Orthoses will be compared for healing rates, cost and ease of manufacture.
Stage one of the research is currently underway and it is anticipated that stage two will commence in October this year.
For further information on this study please contact Chris McCann, Chief Orthotist/Prosthetist, Whyalla Hospital & Health Services, Whyalla South Australia SA 5608 on 08 86488316.
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Coordinated Aboriginal Mental Health Care
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A long term research partnership between Aboriginal Health service providers and leaders in the Eyre Peninsula region, and university-based researchers, has uncovered significant issues and new understandings about factors impacting on Aboriginal people with mental health, alcohol and other drug problems.
The research has contributed to more effective ways of identifying and responding to their complex needs. Through participatory action research, a new model of coordinated Aboriginal Mental Health Care has emerged and is being implemented by Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Service.
The opportunity also exists to apply the model more widely in country SA, and achieve coordinated care pathways and better health outcomes for Aboriginal clients with complex mental health, alcohol and drug problems.
The research team consists of Harry Miller (PLAHS), Jackie Ah Kit (NT Department of Health and Families), Inge Kowanko (Flinders University), Charlotte de Crespigny and Helen Murray (The University of Adelaide). Contacts for further information: inge.kowanko@flinders.edu.au or harry@plahs.org.au
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Chronic Condition Management Strategies in Aboriginal Communities (CCMS)
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Chronic condition management strategies such as care plans, self-management training and peer support are popular but lack evidence about clinical effectiveness, sustainability or transferability, especially in Aboriginal settings.
This project, funded by the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health, addresses that evidence gap and builds on previous collaborative research from this team. Working in partnership with Aboriginal Health service providers in Port Lincoln, Riverland and metropolitan Adelaide, we are exploring existing CCMS, introducing enhanced CCMS to suit participating services, and evaluating impacts and outcomes. Aboriginal capacity development is integral to the research design. The project is in its third year.
The research team consists of Inge Kowanko, Peter Harvey, Malcolm Battersby (Flinders University), Yvonne Helps (Aboriginal Health Council of SA). Contacts for further information: inge.kowanko@flinders.edu.au or yvonne.helps@flinders.edu.au
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Incidence and Outcome of Stroke in Rural South Australia - Project Period 2009-2012
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Beyond its significance as a leading cause of mortality and permanent physical disability, stroke makes a major demand on both formal health services and informal systems of care in the community. Australia has been fortunate to experience a decline in the incidence rate of stroke such that the absolute caseload has been falling over recent years. However, any faltering in that rate of decline will very rapidly translate into a significant expansion of the overall caseload of stroke as the ‘baby boomers’ mature into the elderly and most stroke-prone age-group.
The research group, who consists of Prof. Konrad Jamrozik (Epidemiology, SPHCS); Prof. Jonathan Newbury (Rural Health, SGRHS); Prof. Maria Crotty (Flinders, Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine); A/Prof. Deirdre Whitford (Physiotherapist, SGRHS) and propose to undertake a population-based study of the incidence, management and outcome of stroke (survival, disability, recurrent stroke) in geographically defined segments of rural South Australia and compare these with equivalent data, collected during the same period in a defined sector of metropolitan Adelaide.
For further information contact Professor Jonathan Newbury via email jonathan.newbury@unisa.edu.au.
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