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 randomised controlled trial of a polypill compared to usual care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at high risk of cardiovascular disease
  • an electronic decision support tool is a cardiovascular risk assessment tool designed to provide point-of-care access to national guideline recommendations for patients identified with high cardiovascular risk. It is a quality improvement strategy in the management of chronic disease within Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.
  • a Communication project which comprises of 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. The Communication study has the goal of presentating real research findings to different audiences, especially Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander communities, in an innovative, relevant and engaging manner

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. The first paper for publication for this study has been submitted and we are confident that it will provide important insights into cardiovascular disease risk management for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in primary health care Settings

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 randomised controlled trial of the polypill and will commence recruitment in late 2009. Current work involves finalizing operating procedures, database building, training and support for research staff, and consultation with pharmacies. More intensive work at each health service site will commence in April 2009.

The Electronic Decision Support Tool has been piloted in NSW among 21 health professionals and 200 patients in three partner health services and several mainstream general practices.

The Communication project has the goal is the presentation of real research findings to different audiences, especially Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander communities. Since early 2008, we have been following the story of an Indigenous Australian as he negotiates the transition to life on dialysis. The footage has been compiled into a short video piece and it has generated much interest from potential investors for the production of the documentary.

Institute Investigators

Program Chief Investigators

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
  • Dr Hueiming Liu, Program Manager, 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
  • Ms Pamela Simon, Indigenous Research Fellow, Tharawal Aboriginal Cooperation

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

Funding Agencies