The Kanyini Vascular Collaboration
Improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians with chronic disease through strategies to reduce systems barriers to necessary care.
Kanyini Vascular Collaboration website
Aims
To improve health outcomes in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with chronic vascular and chronic kidney disease, through strategies of care that address health systems or service barriers.
Methods
This 5-year research program includes the following component studies:
- an audit of chronic disease prevention and management practices in the Indigenous-specific primary care sector with a particular focus on how well vascular risk is identified and managed
- a qualitative evaluation of knowledge, attitudes, practices and perceived needs of patients, communities, health care providers and policy makers with respect to prevention and management of chronic disease
- a documentary and communication study to look at the real-life journeys made by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with chronic illness as they negotiate their health care needs
- a randomised controlled trial of a polypill compared to usual care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at high risk of cardiovascular disease
- a pilot of a multi-disciplinary vascular clinic approach to support the prevention and management of chronic disease within Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services
Status/Results
The audit of chronic disease prevention and management was undertaken in 2007 and early 2008. Clinical audits were undertaken in health service partners in NSW, Qld and Central Australia. Feedback of the results has been provided to the participating health services.
Data collection for the qualitative evaluation study has commenced. Interviews are being conducted with patients at high cardiovascular disease risk, their families and community members, health care providers, managers and policy makers in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
The first filming for the documentary and communication study is in development and is based in the Top End of Australia. By combining evidence based research with quality production techniques the project seeks to break new ground in health education and documentary filmmaking.
The randomised controlled trial of the polypill and the pilot of a multi disciplinary vascular clinic approach will commence recruitment in 2009. These intervention studies will be informed by the findings of the other studies in the program.
Institute Investigators
- Alan Cass
- Anushka Patel
- Stephen Jan
Program Chief Investigators
- Alan Cass (executive committee), The George Institute For International Health
- Alex Brown (executive committee), Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute
- Anushka Patel (executive committee), The George Institute For International Health
- Sandra Eades, The Sax Institute
- Noel Hayman, Inala Indigenous Health Service
- Nicole Isbel, Princess Alexandra Hospital
- Stephen Jan, The George Institute For International Health
- Ian Ring, University of Wollongong
- Greg Stewart, Sydney South West Area Health Service
- Andrew Tonkin, Monash University
- Tarun Weeramanthri, WA Health
- Vicki Wade, Sydney South West Area Health Service
Program Staff
- Dr David Peiris, Senior Research Fellow, The George Institute For International Health
- Ms Suzanne Ingram, Research Fellow, The George Institute For International Health
- Ms Maria Tchan, Program Manager, The George Institute For International Health
- Mr Michael Howard, Program Manager, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute , Alice Springs
- Ms Bernadette Rickards, Research Officer, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Alice Springs
- Mr Ricky Mentha, Research Officer, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Alice Springs
- Mr John Brady, Indigenous Research Fellow, Inala Indigenous Health Service, Brisbane
- Ms Joanne De Vries, Indigenous Research Fellow, Wuchopperen Health Service, Cairns
- Ms Cilla Preece, Research Fellow, Wuchopperen Health Service, Cairns
- Mr Barry Fewquandie, Indigenous Research Fellow, Wuchopperen Health Service, Cairns
Health Service Partners
- Armajun Aboriginal Medical Service Inc, Inverell NSW
- Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, Alice Springs NT
- Inala Indigenous Health Service, Brisbane
- Ngaanyatjarra Health Service, Warbuton WA
- Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation, Campbelltown NSW
- Tobwabba Aboriginal Medical Service Inc, Forster NSW
- Urapuntja Health Service, Utopia, Central Australia
- Western Desert Nganampa Walytja Palyantjaku Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation
- Wuchopperen Health Service, Cairns
Collaborators
- Clinical Trials Research Unit, School of Population Health, University of Auckland