| |
|
3rd Annual VicPHCRED Conference
9 Nov 2009, Melbourne,
Attended by Ellen McIntyre, PHC RIS and
Anna Chapman, VicPHCRED Statewide Coordinator
This 3rd Annual VicPHCRED Conference showcased 18 new and emerging researchers in primary health care. As well as providing a great opportunity for networking and collaboration between researchers, practitioners and policy makers, those present were inspired, stimulated and challenged by Bond University Professor of General Practice Mieke van Driel’s presentation of her research journey that spanned Europe, UK, and Asia and Africa where she worked with Medecins Sans Frontieres. Australian primary health care research is the better for her presence here.
The presentations were diverse in the topics covered, the target populations, the methodologies used, as well as the background of the researchers. For example, Drs Belinda Hall and Angela Todd, both chiropractors presented on chiropractic and infants while Kerry Parker, a district nurse, spoke passionately about assessing the efficacy of low level laser therapy in the healing of leg ulcers. General Practitioners (GP) Jason Ong, Adeline Ooi, Richard Teague, and Amanda Fraser covered contraceptive choices among women, pap smears, sexual health of injecting drug users, and Medicare independence for young people. Youth health nurse Shelley Walker explored ‘sexting’ among young people.
Specific populations included refugees and asylum seekers and their experiences of general practitioner services (presented by Dr I-Hao Cheng), the four year-old Healthy Kids Check (Dr Karyn Alexander), community-dwelling older people and physical activity interventions (Nicole Hale, project officer), resident mobility and the No Lift policy (Jan Taylor, physiotherapist), junior doctors and medical identity (Dr Rachel Lee) and clinician attitudes regarding seclusion in mental health (nurse Dannii Taylor).
Acute stroke and Type 2 diabetes was the focus for three researchers. Paramedic Brian Steer focused on GPs role in the initial assessment and referral of acute stroke. Practice manager Cheryl Bush presented a framework for self management capacity and Type 2 diabetes, while mental health counsellor Carole Meade reported on GP interviews regarding depression and Type 2 diabetes.
It was appropriate that practice manager Maureen Goss finished the day outlining her research on the need for general practices to embrace research if primary health care research is to be sustainable. The closing statement from Department of Health and Ageing representative Edward Cocks “Thanks for the evidence” was a fitting end to the day.
|
