Medical research future fund grant success

Prof Renuka Visvanathan & Prof Jon Karnon grant bid.

Investigator for the Centre of Research Excellence in Frailty and Healthy Ageing are part of a successful grant bid being funded by the Medical Research Future Fund.

CRE Professor Renuka Visvanathan, director of Adelaide Geriatrics Training & Research with Aged Care Centre (University of Adelaide) and health economics Professor Jonathan Karnon (Flinders University) are part of the team led by Professor Guy Maddern, Professor of Surgery at The University of Adelaide with epidemiologist Associate Professor Maria Inacio (SAHMRI)

The grant from the NHMRC administered Targeted Health System and Community Organisation Research Program funded by the Medical Research Future Fund is for $1,970,000 over the next three years.

Study Synopsis: The true impact of transfers out of a Residential Aged Care Facility (RACF) for the frail is uncertain. Transfers are known to cause significant distress, especially those to emergency departments (ED) of hospitals. Over 70% of ED presentations result in diagnostic X-ray imaging and over half of all presentations result in residents returning to their RACF. Mobile X-ray imaging is available, but service cover is limited. Initial results have demonstrated that a mobile X-ray service reduces transfers to the ED, waiting times outside of the RACF, the number of overall hospitalisations and increases the access of RACF residents to X-ray services. Although these are positive outcomes, the true impact on health outcomes and the wellbeing of residents is unknown. To assess the benefits of mobile X-ray services a health services review is required. The proposed study will use a mixed method approach to evaluate mobile X-ray services.

The study will use the Registry of Older South Australians to determine the historical and prospective utilisation of radiology services and associated health service use. These data will be complemented by an understanding of the preferences and attitudes of residents, their families and aged care providers have towards access to X-ray imaging. Additionally, the research will assess whether a Medical Benefits Schedule (MBS) item to cover the callout will facilitate service use and determine the cost-effectiveness of mobile radiology.

The study will consider both the health service and societal impact; benefiting residents in RACFs. Research outcomes will provide the necessary evidence for the Department of Health to the determine whether the call-out fee improves appropriate access and reduce ED presentations, and its decision-making on the management of this MBS funded service and viability of the mobile service.