research

health services delivery for adolescents

summary

Biomedical science (discoveries of new treatments and their evaluation in trials) is incomplete without health-services research (also known as implementation science).  The broad goals of health-services research are twofold.  The first is to generate knowledge about the clinical-effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of competing treatments (and diagnostic tests), in the real-world of everyday clinical practice. 

The second is to apply this knowledge to ensure high-quality, cost-effectiveness care; for all patients.  This involves making a better connection between knowing "the right thing to do" (being informed on evidence-based medicine), and "doing the right thing' (applying that knowledge in everyday clinical practice).

group leader(s)

Professor Susan Sawyer
Health services delivery for adolescents
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
Royal Children's Hospital
Flemington Road
Parkville Victoria 3052

T +61 3 9345 6597
F +61 39345 6502
E susan.sawyer@rch.org.au

group leader biography

current research projects

Project 1: Patterns-of-care for adolescent cancer

Adolescent cancer is more common than childhood cancer, but the remarkable progress made in treating childhood cancers (greater than 75% of children can now be cured) has not been seen in adolescent cancers; where the cure rate is much lower than 75%.  There are many possible reasons for this including diagnostic delay, dilution of expertise across multiple institutions, variable referral pathways, and poor treatment adherence.  By examining, for the first time in Australia, patterns of care for adolescents with cancer, we aim to identify ways of ensuring that scientific advances in cancer treatments are effectively translated to everyday care of adolescents with cancer.

Project 2: Diagnostic tests for stillbirth

Unexplained stillbirth is now more common than SIDS.  But, not all hospitals investigate stillbirths in the same way and we do not know which laboratory and clinical investigations are needed to reassure parents and provide them with information to reduce the risk if they decide to have another baby.  The research on this topic will optimise everyday clinical practice, as distinct from laboratory or other work to identify causes of stillbirth.

Project 3: Monitoring clinical trial enrolment

Clinical trials lie behind the remarkable scientific progress made in the treatment of childhood cancer.  They encourage innovation and generate knowledge to benefit current and future cancer patients.  Not surprisingly, the opportunity to participate in a clinical trial has been described as a basic requirement of quality cancer care and the participation rate has been proposed as an indicator of the ability of the health system to provide quality cancer care.  This study will alleviate a gap in health information by trialling an inexpensive procedure that will routinely provide population-based estimates of participation rates.
 

team members

  • Erica Allan - Research Assistant
  • Anne Ambresin - Visiting Academic
  • Evie Bowtell - PhD Student (UoM Paeds)
  • Rony Duncan - Senior Research Officer
  • Annette Hall - VISITOR & VOLUNTEERS
  • Andrea Krelle - Project Manager
  • Melissa Whitelaw - PhD Student

publications

  • Duncan RE., Vandeleur M., Derks A., Sawyer S. Confidentiality with adolescents in the medical setting: what do parents think?. Journal of Adolescent Health 49 (428) : 430 (2011) PubMed
  • Foster JM., Smith L., Bosnic-Anticevich SZ., Usherwood T., Sawyer SM., Rand CS., Reddel HK. IDENTIFYING PATIENT-SPECIFIC BELIEFS AND BEHAVIOURS FOR CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ADHERENCE IN ASTHMA. Internal Medicine Journal (2011) PubMed
  • Gartland D., Bond L., Olsson CA., Buzwell S., Sawyer SM. Development of a multi-dimensional measure of resilience in adolescents: The Adolescent Resilience Questionnaire. BMC Medical Research Methodology 11 (134) : 1 - 10(2011) PubMed
  • Gore FM., Bloem PJN., Patton GC., Ferguson J., Joseph V., Coffey C., Sawyer SM., Mathers CD. Global burden of disease in young people aged 10-24 years: a systematic analysis. LANCET 377 (9783) : 2093 - 2102(2011) PubMed
  • Hughes EK., Gullone E. Emotion regulation moderates relationships between body image concerns and psychological symptomatology. Body Image 8 (3) : 224 - 231(2011) PubMed
  • McKenzie DP., Toumbourou JW., Forbes AB., Mackinnon AJ., McMorris BJ., Catalano RF., Patton GC. Predicting future depression in adolescents using the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire: A two-nation study. JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS : 338 (2011) PubMed
  • McKenzie M., Jorm AF., Romaniuk H., Olsson CA., Patton GC. Association of adolescent symptoms of depression and anxiety with alcohol use disorders in young adulthood: findings from the Victorian Adolescent Health Cohort Study. MEDICAL JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA 195 (3) (2011) PubMed
  • Patton GC., Coffey C., Carlin JB., Sawyer SM., Williams J., Olsson CA., Wake M. Overweight and obesity between adolescence and young adulthood: a 10-year prospective cohort study. The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine 48 (3) : 275 - 80(2011) PubMed
  • Rahman B., Macciocca I., Sahhar M., Kamberi S., Connell V., Duncan RE. Adolescents with Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators: A Patient and Parent Perspective. Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology 35 (1) : 62 - 72(2011) PubMed
  • Resnick MD., Catalano RF., Sawyer SM., Viner R., Patton GC. Seizing the opportunities of adolescent health. LANCET 379 (9826) : 1564 - 7(2012) PubMed
  • Roydhouse JK., Shah S., Toelle BG., Sawyer SM., Mellis CM., Usherwood TP., Edwards P., Jenkins CR. A snapshot of general practitioner attitudes, levels of confidence and self-reported paediatric asthma management practice. AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF PRIMARY HEALTH 17 (3) : 288 - 293(2011) PubMed
  • Sawyer SM., Afifi RA., Bearinger LH., Blakemore SJ., Dick B., Ezeh AC., Patton GC. Adolescence: a foundation for future health. LANCET 379 (9826) : 1630 - 40(2012) PubMed
  • Yeo M., Hughes E. Eating disorders Early identification in general practice. AUSTRALIAN FAMILY PHYSICIAN 40 (3) : 108 - 111(2011) PubMed