1. Enhancing Adherence and Self-management in the Treatment of Respiratory Conditions (ENGAGEMENT)| $2 million
Enhancing adherence and self-management in the treatment of respiratory conditions (ENGAGEMENT) is a pragmatic study driving the uptake of technology-supported self-management interventions for chronic respiratory diseases. This builds on our extensive research in the management of chronic respiratory conditions using consumer-centred interdisciplinary approaches, behaviour change interventions and health technology, and our ongoing influential partnerships in research and practice in all care settings with consumers, clinicians, policy makers and other key stakeholders. ENGAGEMENT will test the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a nurse-supported, technology-enabled, action plan-guided self-management program for asthma and COPD. It is a 5-year study in three phases, including a pragmatic, single-blind, randomised controlled trial (RCT), to improve health-related quality of life, treatment adherence and health resource utilisation.
2. Australian Primary caRe Initiative for mediCine use Optimisation and safeTy (APRICOT) | $4 million
Medication-related problems (MRPs) continue to be an important cause of patient harm in Australian primary care. Approximately 50% of MRPs are considered preventable through initiatives to optimise prescribing and consumer use of medicines. Quality prescribing indicators (QPIs) for use in Australian general practice has the potential to improve the quality and safety of medicines management by enabling users to measure and benchmark prescribing activities. Consumer education and self-management support with the help of technology can improve medication adherence and in turn health outcomes. A three phase study will be carried out in general practices in New South Wales, Tasmania and Victoria. Phase I (Years 1 and 2) will be a preparatory phase involving consumers, prescribers, other stakeholders and researchers to update and validate the QPIs for use in general practice. The educational and behaviour change interventions for optimising prescribing and consumer use of medicines (Australian Primary caRe Initiative for mediCine use Optimisation and safeTy - APRICOT) will be finalised before evaluation in Phase II (Years 3 and 4), a cluster randomised controlled trial. Communication among health professionals and consumers will be mediated via My Health Record in the intervention arm. Relative change in a composite measure of prescribing quality based on the QPIs at 6 and 12 months after the end of the intervention period will be the primary outcome. Nested within the RCT will be an economic evaluation of APRICOT from a health system perspective and evaluation of implementation outcomes such as acceptability, appropriateness and feasibility. Phase III (Year 5) will comprise a knowledge translation phase.