$4.9m from MRFF to improve care for children

Asthma, type 1 diabetes and antibiotic overuse in the spotlight

A national project to improve care for children in three national paediatric priority areas – asthma, type 1 diabetes, and antibiotic overuse – has been awarded $4.9 million from the Medical Research Future Fund.

The Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler MP, announced funding for the project that is led by Professor Jeffrey Braithwaite, Founding Director, Australian Institute of Health Innovation (AIHI), Macquarie University.

This project will transform the level of evidence-based care that is delivered to Australian children, Professor Braithwaite said.

Each priority area has a substantial gap between what is evidence-based care and what is delivered, as revealed by earlier research led by Professor Braithwaite published in the Journal of the American Medical Association:

asthma: 54% of care that is provided by GPs to children is in line with evidence or guidelines
type 1 diabetes: 54% of GP care to children is in line with evidence or guidelines
antibiotic overuse: GPs inappropriately prescribed antibiotics for 85% of visits for low-risk earache and sore throat

The project will involve working with national and international stakeholders including patients and their families, clinicians, researchers, and key state and national bodies.

“Most children will visit the GP or paediatrician at least once every year, and it is important that they receive the best possible care,” Professor Braithwaite said.

Research shows for example that despite availability of guidelines and effective treatment, only 15% of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes reach recommended glycaemic targets and as a result have life expectancy reduced by 12-16 years, and a 30-fold increased risk of heart attack in early adulthood.

“This project is not a reflection on individual GPs who are doing their best with the application of great skill for children and families. It is an acknowledgement that practitioners face systems problems, and that overall, we could deliver better care to children if we follow best practice guidelines more often,” Professor Braithwaite said.

The project team includes researchers from AIHI, Perth Children’s Hospital Telethon Kids Institute, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, University of NSW, and MQ Health. Partner organisations include Asthma Australia, Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network (PHN), North Coast PHN, Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators, South-Western Sydney PNH, Western NSW PHN, WA Primary Health Alliance, Western Queensland PHN, and Western Victoria PHN.

Professor Braithwaite (pictured) is available for interview, please contact chrissy.clay@mq.edu.au

Visit our webpage for more information or to explore PhD scholarship opportunities associated with this project, please contact Dr Georgia Fisher.

CENTRES RELATED TO THIS NEWS

Centre for Healthcare Resilience and Implementation Science

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

Chrissy Clay, Media and Research Outreach Coordinator

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