Check-back study

Co-design and evaluation of a resource to improve patient-clinician communication in rural chronic disease settings

To self-manage their chronic condition, patients need clear information from clinicians. However, patients often walk away from a health appointment not fully understanding the information they have been given. This can be more challenging in rural settings, where there is limited access to health professionals. This project will co-design and test a resource to provide rural patients with skills and confidence to ask questions and double-check they have understood what they need to do.

We have previously co-designed an online resource to provide consumers with these skills. This resource, called Check-back, has been well received by consumers, who recommended it be made more accessible, including for people from rural areas, and those with lower health literacy. This project therefore aims to co-design version 2 of Check-back so that it is available and appropriate for more Australians. We will engage with a wide range of consumers and clinicians from rural chronic disease settings to identify what modifications are needed, before refining the existing resource. Check-backV2 will then be evaluated in a clinical trial among patients with chronic conditions from rural health services in Victoria and Tasmania to determine its effectiveness at improving health literacy and self-efficacy.

Monash Rural Health will be working with researchers from Deakin University and research partners at East Grampians Health Services, Grampians Health and North West Regional Hospital in Tasmania to undertake this research.

The Checkback study is funded by the Medical Research Futures Fund (MRFF).

Research team

Graduate research opportunities

The Checkback study provides a range of opportunities for graduate research students looking for rewarding honours, masters or PhD projects.

Partners

Contact

A/Prof Alison Beauchamp
Checkback Primary Investigator
Phone: +61 414 411 296
Email: alison.beauchamp@monash.edu