$1 million injection for General Practice

Monday, 22 August 2005

The University of Adelaide's Department of General Practice has secured $1 million to research the management of chronic diseases in Australian general practice.

Professor Justin Beilby, Executive Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, along with Associate Professors Alan Crockett and Phil Ryan from the Departments of General Practice & Public Health respectively, were awarded $500,000 to investigate the potential benefits to patients of using spirometry in the management of chronic lung disease in children and adults.

Spirometry, which measures airflow obstruction, is a vital element in the management of chronic lung disease.

And Dr Nigel Stocks (along with Professor Beilby), and Professor Andrew Murphy from the University of Galway (recently on study leave with the Department of General Practice), received $499,513 over two-and-half years to review secondary preventative activities for general practice patients with ischaemic heart disease.

The study will determine factors that contribute to reducing the increased risk of further events, and therefore the burden of this disease.

"The General Practice Clinical Research Program under the auspices of both the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Primary Care Division of the Department of Health and Ageing, supports priority-driven General Practice research of both clinical and policy importance.

"It is anticipated this research will identify cost-effective strategies for modifications in clinical practice, ultimately benefitting consumers and their health," Professor Beilby said.

The aforementioned projects also involve collaborations with investigators' from the University's Department of Medicine, Adelaide's Women's and Children's Hospital, the Disciplines of General Practice and Medicine at the University of Tasmania, Centre for General Practice at the University of Queensland and the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at Flinders Medical Centre.

Other partners include the Australian Lung Foundation, the National Asthma Council, the Murray Mallee and Adelaide Hills Community Health Services, South Australian and Queensland Divisions of General Practice and the Adelaide to Outback GP Training Program.

More information on the grants can be obtained from: http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/funding/types/granttype/strategic/gpclinc.htm.

For information on the Primary Health Care Research, Evaluation and Development Strategy, visit:
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/Content/health-pcd-programs-pcprograms-collab.htm.

 

Contact Details

Professor Nigel Stocks
Email: nigel.stocks@adelaide.edu.au
Head, Discipline of General Practice
School of Population Health
The University of Adelaide
Business: +61 8 8313 3462
Mobile: 0424 260 394


Media Team
Email: media@adelaide.edu.au
Website: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/newsroom/
The University of Adelaide
Business: +61 8 8313 0814