PHC Research Conference update

Call for Abstracts closes soon! 

Do you want the opportunity to inform and influence primary health care policy and practice?
With the call for abstracts closing on 2 March, we encourage you to submit an abstract of the research and/or evaluation you have undertaken and take up the opportunity of joining in discussions, networking and collaborations as we listen to some of the best PHC research Australia has to offer. Go to the weblink below to submit now!
Closing date: Mar 02 2012
See: www.phcris.org.au/conference/2012/abstracts.php

Articles of interest

The association between chronic illness, multimorbidity and depressive symptoms in an Australian primary care cohort

Gunn J, Ayton D, Densley K, Pallant J, Chondros P, Herrman H, Dowrick C. (2012). Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 47(2): 175-184
Patients with multiple chronic illnesses, otherwise known as multimorbidities, are a reality of daily practice for most primary care practitioners. Jane Gunn and her team at The University of Melbourne have recently tackled this challenge and published results from their diamond study. The paper investigated the co-occurrence of depression and chronic physical illness in primary care settings.
See: dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00127-010-0330-z

An equity–effectiveness framework linking health programs and healthy life expectancy

Banham D, Lynch J, Karnon J. (2011). Australian Journal of Primary Health, 17(4): 309-319
Using the example of coronary heart disease management in general practice the effectiveness and equity framework (EEF) provides an approach to evaluating and selecting health interventions. [Abstract précis by PHC RIS]
See: dx.doi.org/10.1071/PY11034

Feasibility study of geospatial mapping of chronic disease risk to inform public health commissioning [Free full text]

Noble D, Smith D, Mathur R, Robson J, Greenhalgh T. (2012). BMJ Open, 2:e000711. doi = 10.1136/bmjopen-2011-000711
The feasibility of using general practice electronic health records to produce small area geospatial maps of chronic disease was explored. Three types of maps were produced: a basic map illustrating variation of diabetes risk across a geographic area, a more sensitive heat map showing ‘hot’ high-risk and ‘cool’ low risk areas, and a ring map showing high diabetes risk linked to social and environmental indicators. Information governance issues were found to be time consuming. [Abstract précis by PHC RIS]
See: bmjopen.bmj.com/content/2/1/e000711.abstract

Understanding health system reform – a complex adaptive systems perspective

Sturmberg J, O'Halloran D, Martin C. (2012). Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 18(1): 202-208
This paper discusses aligning the values of the actors in health care reform through the use of complex adaptive systems with an illustrative example of the bathtub vortex. The authors discuss shifting the attractor to “patient-centred health care” to achieve the desired outcome of health for all. [Abstract précis by PHC RIS]
See: dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2753.2011.01792.x

Understanding innovators' experiences of barriers and facilitators in implementation and diffusion of healthcare service innovations: a qualitative study [Free full text]

Barnett J, Vasileiou K, Djemil F, Brooks L, Young T. (2011). BMC Health Services Research, 11:342. doi=10.1186/1472-6963-11-342
The experiences of health care organizations in the UK in implementing innovation are explored in this qualitative study. Factors facilitating or impeding the implementation of innovations include: role of evidence, inter-organizational partnerships, internal or external champions, receptiveness, resources available and promotion. [Abstract précis by PHC RIS]
See: www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6963/11/342

Reports

Canadian Primary Healthcare Policy: The Evolving Status of Reform

Canadian Health Services Research Foundation 
The key findings for decision-makers on the current state of Canadian primary healthcare (PHC) policies, and the perceptions thereof, offer insights for renewed direction and action.
See: www.chsrf.ca/PublicationsAndResources/ResearchReports/ArticleView/12-01-16/33216492-5553-4b0e-a780-c6aed2a5b6b8.aspx

Closing the Gap Prime Minister's Report 2012

Australian Government
The Prime Minister reports annually on progress in Closing the Gap. This is the fourth annual report, tabled in Parliament on 15 February 2012.
See: www.fahcsia.gov.au/sa/indigenous/pubs/closing_the_gap/Pages/ctg_pm_report_2012.aspx

Consumer and Community Engagement Framework

Queensland Health, Health Consumers Queensland
The Consumer and Community Engagement Framework (the Framework) is designed to guide and inform District/LHHN strategies. The Framework promotes a collaborative, integrated and effective engagement by LHHNs with consumers and communities within the context of wider engagement with Medicare Locals, community services, health practitioners, private hospitals and local, State and Commonwealth governments.
See: www.health.qld.gov.au/hcq/

NSW Tobacco Strategy 2012-2017

NSW Government, Centre for Health Advancement
The NSW Tobacco Strategy 2012-2017 provides an overarching framework for the actions that the NSW Government will lead to reduce smoking and tobacco related harm in NSW.
See: www.health.nsw.gov.au/pubs/2012/nsw_tobacco_strategy_2012.html

Pressure points in primary care: A study of blood pressure in 532,050 patients in Australia from 2005 to 2010

Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
This report is an analysis of blood pressure (BP) measurements in patients being managed in primary
care in Australia between 2005 and 2010. It provides important insights into the optimal monitoring and
management of hypertension and provides underlying clinical and public health messages for health
professionals and the broader community.
See: www.bakeridi.edu.au/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=273

Audio & Video

Caring for the growing numbers of frail older people: An international perspective

The King's Fund, UK
PowerPoint presentations available online. Video highlights from the Seminar include:
Dennis Kodner: Integrated care models for frail older people
Chai Patel: Providing sustainable care for the most vulnerable
See: www.kingsfund.org.uk/events/past_events_catch_up/frail_elderly.html

Resources

Indigenous Chronic Disease Package

Australian Government, Department of Health and Ageing
The Indigenous Chronic Disease Package aims to reduce key risk factors for chronic disease in the Indigenous community such as smoking, improve chronic disease management and follow up, and increase the capacity of the primary care workforce to deliver effective care to Indigenous Australians with chronic diseases.
See: www.health.gov.au/tackling-chronic-disease

News items

Continued dispensing to benefit patients

Australian Healthcare & Hospitals Association News, 16 February 2012
Spokesperson: The Pharmacy Guild of Australia
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia welcomes the passage through the House of Representatives today of
legislation that will allow continued dispensing of some medicines by pharmacists in defined circumstances.
See: ahha.asn.au/news/continued-dispensing-benefit-patients?utm_source=E-Healthcare+Brief&utm_campaign=2728dc0d41

Ground-breaking diabetes care trial

Department of Health, Victoria, 17 February 2012
The Victorian Government has committed $2 million for a new pilot scheme to improve care for people with diabetes.
See: www.health.vic.gov.au/news/ground-breaking-diabetes-care-trial.htm

High quality, low cost healthcare can be provided in US, experts say

British Medical Journal. (2012). 344:e1190
Several areas in the United States are providing low cost, excellent healthcare to almost all residents, according to a television programme broadcast on 16 February on the Public Broadcasting Service network.
See: www.bmj.com/content/344/bmj.e1190

Rethink rural student recruitment to get more doctors to the country

Dwyer J, The Conversation, 21 February 2012
Most of us consider health care to be a basic human right, rather than a privilege. In both philosophical and practical terms, the availability of high-quality health care is a national imperative. But for people living in the countryside, this right is compromised.
See: theconversation.edu.au/rethink-rural-student-recruitment-to-get-more-doctors-to-the-country-5240

Media releases

'Two Years On' Data  

UCL Institute of Health Equity, London, 15th February 2012
New figures out today (Wednesday 15th February) to mark the second anniversary of the release of the Marmot Review Fair Society, Healthy Lives show that while life expectancy improved for most of the 150 local authority areas in England that will take over responsibility for public health in April 2013, inequalities within these areas also increased.
See: www.instituteofhealthequity.org/media/press-releases/two-years-on-data

Additional Funding for HACC Services in Western Australia

The Hon Mark Butler MP, 17 February 2012
More frail, older people and younger people with a disability will receive support to stay in their own homes and communities, thanks to $15.9 million in funding for the Home and Community Care (HACC) program this year.
See: www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/mr-yr12-mb-mb013.htm

Cash lure for rural doctors must be based on health needs

Rural Health Workforce Australia, 20 February 2012
Rural Health Workforce (RHW) has called for changes to the Federal Government’s rural and remote classification scheme so it encourages more doctors to work in areas of high health need.
See: www.rhwa.org.au/site/index.cfm?display=32636

New Drug to Help Prevent Heart Attacks Subsidised for Patients

The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, 21 February 2012
A new drug that can help prevent heart attacks and will benefit more than 60,000 Australians is to be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) at a cost of more than $100 million over five years.
See: www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/mr-yr12-tp-tp016.htm

RACGP welcomes national electronic records system to combat abuse of prescription drugs

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, 17 February 2012
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) commends the federal Health Minister, Tanya Plibersek, on announcing a new $5 million national electronic records system to address the dramatic rise in prescription drug abuse and drug diversion.
See: www.racgp.org.au/media2012/45871

Conferences/seminars/forums/workshop

12th National Rural Health Conference (12NRHC)

Strong Commitment. Bright Future.
The Conference's main focus is on those who are involved in rural, regional and remote health every day: the consumers, clinicians, managers and researchers in non-metropolitan areas. Participants will also come from other sectors that contribute to the health of people in country Australia, such as education, the environment, transport, housing, economic development and community services. The Conference aims to recognise the roles played by people involved in these sectors, to widen the view of the rural and remote health community and to give depth and greater effectiveness to our endeavours to improve rural health.
Date: Apr 07 2013 - Apr 10 2013
Call for abstracts: Oct 01 2012
Early bird registration: Jan 06 2013
Location: Adelaide SA
Convenor: National Rural Health Alliance
Contact: Kellie Sydlarczuk
Phone: +61 (0)2 6285 4660
Fax: +61 (0)2 6285 4670
Website: nrha.org.au/12nrhc/

5th International Conference on Community Health Nursing Research

Transforming Community Health: the Nursing Impact
The conference will highlight developments in nursing practice, research and policy which impact on the work of different nurses working in the community environment.
The aim of the conference is to provide evidence to promote strategies for the advancement of nursing for high quality care in the community setting.
The conference will provide an environment in which to share good practice, disseminate research and meet others working in similar fields offering opportunities to establish new collaborations and networks.
Date: Mar 13 2013 - Mar 14 2013
Call for abstracts: Jun 29 2012
Early bird registration: Oct 01 2012
Location: Edinburgh SCOTLAND
Convenor: International Collaboration for Community Health Nursing Research (ICCHNR)
Contact: Laura Marshall
Phone: +44 (0)131 651 3001
Email: l.marshall@ed.ac.uk
Website: www.crfr.ac.uk/events/icchnr/

Australian Governance and Quality Conference 2012

The Patient, the Population and the Politics: Towards equity and quality in healthcare
The two-day conference will explore contemporary themes in the governance of health services within the context of current health reform. A key focus will be the strategic allocation of resources to promote equity and quality of services.
The conference will outline theoretical and practical approaches to addressing the changing healthcare needs of communities. Population health planning and strategic planning will be explored through practical examples. Processes to support service quality and effective decision-making will also be covered, including board structures, organisational performance monitoring and clinical governance systems.
This conference will be of interest to CEOs, board members, managers and practitioners of health, academics, policy professionals, government officials and consumers from all states and territories around Australia.
Date: May 24 2012 - May 25 2012
Early bird registration: Feb 22 2012
Registration close: Mar 15 2012
Location: Melbourne VIC
Convenor: The Australian Centre for Healthcare Governance/Victorian Healthcare Association
Contact: Eloisa Evangelista
Phone: +61 (0)3 9094 7777
Fax: +61(0)3 9094 7788
Email: vah@vha.org.au
Website: www.healthcaregovernance.org.au

Data Governance 2012

The event will be of interest to healthcare executives and managers both clinical and non-clinical, data and information professionals, health informaticians, health policy makers, and academics.
Data Governance 2012 will introduce manager and executives, healthcare leaders and information professionals to the concept of data governance and its underpinnings and provide inspiration and guidance to the data-driven transformation coming in the Australian healthcare industry.
Date: Mar 29 2012 - Mar 30 2012
Early bird registration: Feb 10 2012
Location: Melbourne VIC
Convenor: HISA & health-mic special interest group
Contact: Carolyn Lawson
Phone: +61 (0)3 9326 3311
Email: datagovernance@hisa.org.au
Website: www.hisa.org.au/page/dg2012

Early Childhood Intervention Australia Conference

Pathways to Participation: Engagement and choice for children and families
This Conference will provide practitioners and families with a forum to gain current knowledge and information on both research and practice to facilitate and support the participation and engagement of children with disabilities and their families in activities and contexts of their choice whether at home, in Early Childhood settings or in their communities.
Date: Aug 09 2012 - Aug 11 2012
Location: Perth WA
Phone: +61 (0)8 9389 1488
Fax: +61 (0)8 9389 1499
Email: info@eecw.com.au
Website: www.eciaconference2012.com.au/

Vacancies, fellowships & scholarships

PhD Scholarship

The University of Queensland Faculty of Health Sciences is seeking three outstanding PhD students to join the NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in 2012 exploring new models of chronic disease management. Projects include:
- Innovative service delivery models
- Innovation and change management in health care delivery
- The health consumer and the health care professional
- Health economics in new models of patient care
- Job No.:  493076
- Salary:  Research Scholar BAND
- Work type:  Full time fixed term
- Location:  Brisbane (Herston)
Closing date: Mar 15 2012
See: uqjobs.uq.edu.au/jobDetails.asp?sJobIDs=493076

Research Fellow (Statistics)

The Australian Primary Health Care Research Institute (APHCRI) at the ANU invites applicants for the position of Research Fellow (Statistics) to undertake and support quantitative research into primary health care, including research requiring spatial analysis.
- Position Level:  Level B
- Salary Package:  $80 166 - $91 299 pa plus 17% superannuation
- Reference:  A088-12MO
Closing date: Mar 11 2012
See: www.unijobs.com.au/show.php?title=research_fellow_statistics_58662

Grants & tenders

Diabetes Australia Research Grants

Applications are invited for 2013 research projects. Research into diabetes within:
- Basic scientific and clinical research
- Remote and rural, culturally diverse and Indigenous communities
Behavioural Research Grants for research into:
- Diabetes self management, education and support, translation into practice and behavioural research.
2013/14 Millennium Awards
2013/14 Viertel Postdoctoral Fellowships in Diabetes
Closing date: Apr 27 2012
See: www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/

Supporting people with cancer Grant initiative 2012  

Cancer Australia’s Supporting people with cancer Grant initiative will continue to improve the coordination, accessibility and development of quality cancer support networks to better support people affected by cancer. An organisation partnering with community, with a focus on local community needs, ensures relevance and responsiveness of the grant initiative.
- Grants up to $80,000 (GST exclusive) over a 2 year period (2012-2014)
Closing date: Apr 10 2012
See: www.canceraustralia.gov.au/node/477