Earlier in 2021, a preliminary community research report was released by the Caring Futures Institute at Flinders University. The report was a co-design and co-research investigation by academics and health consumers, of the social and health exclusion factors and lived experiences of Frail and Homebound and Bedbound People (FHBP) in Australia.
Dr Maria Alejandra Pinero de Plaza and Penelope McMillan, together with several Australian health consumers and academics, co-created a survey to explore the characteristics and experiences of Frail, Homebound and Bedbound Australians, from July to September 2020.
Frail, Homebound, and Bedridden People (FHBP) are distinct populations that live with a series of complex, incapacitating, and debilitating illnesses, or injuries.
Members of these populations are unified by shared circumstances: being trapped and unable to leave home.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics – 2018 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers, approximately 596,800 people aged 5 years and over do not leave home as often as they would like due to their disability or condition.
Of these people, 383,500 people were aged 5-64 years and 212,800 people were aged 65 years or more.
Many Australians from such groups do not receive support to access clinical services, or even have a regular primary care provider, such as a GP.
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AHJ S1E2: Bipolar Disorder Research by Brain Dynamics Centre
The Brain Dynamics Centre, part of Westmead Institute for Medical Research held a community day for World Bipolar Day on 30th March 2018.
The event was MCed by Dr Mayuresh Korgaonkar, Research Director of Brain Dynamics Centre and Senior Research Fellow of the University of Sydney.
Mayuresh is managing research through the project “Brain Connectivity Imaging Markers to Confirm Diagnosis for Bipolar vs. Unipolar Depression – A Connectome Approach.”
The bipolar group at Westmead Institute of Medical Research is recruiting participants with bipolar disorder, major depression, and controls for participation in this research.
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Strategic research investments for health and prosperity
The CEO of Research Australia, Nadia Levin spoke with Australian Health Journal about the following:
– Current medical research and development landscape in Australia
– Investment required to support the Health and Medical Research and Innovation pipeline
– The National Medical Products Industry Plan and its impact on the Australian economy
– The Health and Medical Research WorkforceIn the lead up to the Australian Federal Budget in May 2023, Australian Health Journal reached out to peak health industry bodies to hear about their priorities, either noted in pre-budget submissions lodged with Federal Government in January 2023 or in recent forums such as the Strengthening Medicare Taskforce.
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Generosity of spirit in teaching
The Ramaciotti Medal for Excellence is considered one of the most prestigious awards in biomedical research in Australia and is highly sought after by researchers in the field.
In 2022, Professor Matthew Kiernan was the recipient of the Ramaciotti Medal for Excellence and the associated $50,000 award.
Australian Health Journal spoke with Professor Kiernan to hear about his journey in medicine and science to try and uncover and understand diseases and his generosity of spirit to pass on what he has learnt.
