Serious and Continuing Illness Policy and Practice Study (SCIPPS)

Summary

Serious and Continuing Illness Policy and Practice Study (SCIPPS)

Supervisor(s)

Professor Stephen Leeder

Research Location

Camperdown - School of Public Health

Program Type

Masters/PHD

Synopsis

The Menzies Centre for Health Policy, a joint venture between the University of Sydney and The Australian National University (ANU), examines the performance and expectations of the nation’s health system.  The Menzies Centre for Health Policy has been awarded a $3.5 million National Health and Medical Research Council grant to examine obstacles in the health system to optimal care for patients with, or at risk of contracting, serious and continuing illness and the people who care for them. The Serious and Continuing Illnesses Policy and Practice Study (SCIPPS) has researched three index conditions: chronic heart failure (CHF); diabetes; and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) because they are common, costly and continuing illnesses for which secondary prevention is known to be effective. A wide spectrum of primary and specialist services, acute and ambulatory care, community support services, as well as effective self care, is needed for their successful management. This study will find policy systems solutions that result in health and quality of life improvements for serious and continuing illness sufferers and see a reduction in avoidable hospital admissions. These issues are being examined through a series of interventions and evaluations. The study is being conducted in two sites: Sydney West Area Health Service (SWAHS) and the Australian Capital Territory.

Additional Information

The Patient Experience:

1. Literacy in health conditions/ health services
2. Self management models- comparison and effect in SWAHS/ACT
3. Working with a health team - does it work for the patient?

Policy issues:

1. Impact of changes to health insurance rules - introduction of payments for chronic disease management/prevention
2. Impact of the budget changes allowing specialist MBS rebates
3. Safety nets and chronic illness - does it make a difference to household well being?
4. Chronic illness and health care cards - what choices do people make at what income levels?
5. How does policy work to foster workforce participation for people with chronic illness?
6. Synergies and fractures in policy from different departments with an impact on the lives of people with chronic illness
7. Development of models of care for chronic disease specific to an Australian environment .

Keywords

chronic heart failure (CHF), diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic illness, patient experience, health literacy, self management, health and social policy, health service utilisation and outcomes, health policy, Cardiovascular & respiratory diseases, Chronic diseases & ageing, Health system research, Heart & circulation, Public health & social medicine, Respiration

Opportunity ID

The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is: 56