Brown P, Saunders P, Wilson K,  Healthy Hearts – the development and evaluation of an outreach, family centred model of cardiac rehabilitation for Aboriginal people and their family members.
Locations: Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.

A family centred outreach model approach may have multiple benefits including increasing participation in evidence based cardiac rehabilitation, culturally inclusive care and identifying and managing family members at risk of a cardiovascular event. The aim is to improve uptake and completion of a secondary prevention program for Aboriginal patients discharged from hospital with selected cardiac conditions. 

Davis S, Cordaro F, Saha M, Qian S, Pados J, Blood and demographic profiles of persons undergoing inpatient assisted alcohol detoxification and impact on hospital length of stay and readmission.
Locations: Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.

Using a retrospective audit of electronic medical records, the study will look at the basic blood profile and demographic data of persons undergoing inpatient alcohol detoxification. A secondary aim is to assess if certain demographics or blood derangements (eg anaemia or hypoalbuminemia) are associated with an increased length of stay or readmissions.

Grebely J, Dore G, Reid D, Qian S, Graf C, Hampson A, Cordaro F, Pados J, Lautier A, Raikko T, Calnan C, A multi-centre, practice-level, stepped wedge cluster randomized controlled trial to compare point-of-care HCV RNA testing, dried blood spot testing, and standard of care to enhance treatment uptake among people with HCV who have recently injected drugs attending needle and syringe programs: the TEMPO study.
Locations: Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.
External Partners: Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney.

This research project will compare three methods of screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) in adults with a history of recent injecting drug use at Needle and Syringe Programs  (NSP) and evaluate the impact of each on hepatitis C treatment uptake. NSPs will be randomised to one of two groups: receive the intervention immediately versus standard of care with delayed implementation. The immediate intervention arm will be randomised 1:1 to receive point-of-care HCV RNA testing or HCV RNA testing from dried blood spots.  As such the study will compare, standard of care versus point-of-care versus dried blood spot HCV testing.

Kelly P, Adams S, Lunn J, Berry J, Bliokas V, Qian S, Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of Cognitive Remediation Groups in a community outpatient setting for people who have substance dependence.
Locations: Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.
External Partners: University of Wollongong.

The purpose of the current project is to examine the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of the Alcohol and other Drugs Cognitive Enhancement (ACE) Cognitive Remediation Groups for people attending outpatient treatment for methamphetamine use.  Feasibility will be measured by interest in the program, percentage recruitment rates into the study, program completion rates, participant satisfaction/acceptability, study retention and intervention fidelity. Semi-structured interviews will be used to explore the features of the Cognitive Remediation Groups that participants found most/least effective. The project also seeks to identify the preliminary efficacy of the ACE Cognitive Remediation Groups. 

McMullan C, Batchelor J, Berry J, Adams S, Validation of Assessment Tools and a Clinical Pathway for Alcohol and Other Drug Outpatients with Possible Cognitive Impairment.
Locations: Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.
External Partners: Macquarie University.

This research aims to examine the validity of the Drug and Alcohol Cognitive Impairment Screening Tool (DACIST) and Brief Executive Assessment Tool (BEAT) in predicting cognitive impairment of adults in outpatient rehabilitation treatment for Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) use. These two tools have been developed as part of an Agency of Clinical Innovation (ACI) project examining cognitive impairment in an AOD using population. It is predicted that those who score highly on the DACIST (i.e., impaired range) will be more likely to show cognitive impairment on cognitive tests, including the BEAT.

Salom C, McDaid L, Peacock A, Gisev N, Maravilla J, Bruno R, Farrell M, Juckel J, Daly C, Thomas N, Reid D, Qian S, Woods D, Fernandez M, Evaluation of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Subsidised Take Home Naloxone Pilot.
Locations: Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.
External Partners: University of Queensland, University of New South Wales, University of Tasmania.

This evaluation will determine the impact of the Take Home Naloxone (THN) Pilot on naloxone access, uptake and impact, as well as address previously identified knowledge gaps in the evidence about the effectiveness of THN programs more broadly. The evaluation team (ISSR) will use a pragmatic evaluation approach that uses existing data collected by various agencies. Additional data will be captured from individuals involved in the pilot and access site staff via semi structured interviews and focus groups.  This evaluation will generate evidence to improve the implementation and effectiveness of this program and feed information back to the service model to facilitate this via an action learning cycle.

Sneddon S, Qian S, Pados J, Investigating hospital admission for cannabis-related hyperemesis for pregnant women who self-reported non-medicinal cannabis use: Did the patients stop using cannabis and have less unplanned hospital returns after the admission?
Locations: Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.

This study will investigate hospital admission for cannabis-related hyperemesis for pregnant women who self-reported non-medicinal cannabis use. Specifically, it will investigate when history of cannabis use was identified, whether the patient developed CWS and/or CHS during a hospital admission, how CWS and/or CHS were managed during this admission, whether the number of unplanned hospital returns was reduced.

Seddon S, Qian S, Cowman J, Describing the pregnancy outcomes of SUPPS clients who identify methamphetamine as the primary substance of concern.
Locations: Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.

There is no current knowledge about the pregnancy outcomes for Substance Use in Pregnancy and Parenting Service (SUPPS) clients in the ISLHD who disclose methamphetamine as the primary substance of choice. There is no current model of care for the assessment and treatment of the infant at risk of withdrawal from methamphetamine. This project therefore aims to describe the pregnancy outcomes of ISLHD SUPPS clients whose primary substance of concern is methamphetamine.

Woods D, Qian S, Accessing support services: Perceptions and experiences of carers and family members who are affected by someone else's drug or alcohol use.
Locations: Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.

Woods D, Bowles K, Qian S, Whiting R, Larance B, Nguyen N, Accessing support services: Perceptions and experiences of carers and family members who are affected by someone else's drug or alcohol use.
Locations: Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.
External Partners: University of Wollongong, Family Drug Support NSW.

The negative impacts of drug or alcohol use on the family unit are well documented, yet treatments tend to be client focused, with care partners including families receiving little attention. These significant others often experience heightened levels of anxiety, depression and a higher care-giving burden, and commonly report feeling helpless and isolated. This study aims to understand the perceptions and experiences in information-seeking and help-seeking of care partners who are affected by someone else’s drug or alcohol use. 

Haber P, Lintzeris N, Monds L, Butler K, Winter D, Reid D, Qian S, Collison C, Curran C, Graf C, Driving Perspectives, Behaviours, Knowledge and Concerns of Clients Receiving Opioid Treatment and their Staff.
Locations: Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.
External Partners: University of Sydney, Sydney Local Health District, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District.

This project aims to explore transport and driving behaviours, perceptions, knowledge, and concerns of clients enrolled in the Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) at New South Wales drug & alcohol clinics, and their treatment staff. The information collected for this research project will enhance our knowledge and understanding of current driving perceptions, behaviours, knowledge and concerns of drug & alcohol clinic OTP clients, and their staff.

Yu P, Yeo W, Qian S, Reid D, Sinclair B, Bresnahan S, Lynch P, Curtis K, McLean M, The development of an alcohol management pathway utilising the existing Electronic Medical Records (eMR) to effectively manage patients with alcohol problems and improve the referral to specialist Drug and Alcohol Service.
Locations: Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.
External Partners: University of Wollongong.

This project aims to investigate the journey of patients with alcohol use disorder and develop, implement and evaluate an eMR enabled alcohol management pathway.

Hammersley M, Norman J, Jones R, Plumb M, Smithers L, Furber S, Leedham M, Bridging the health gap – assessing the acceptability and feasibility of healthy eating and physical activity narrative-style audiovisual content and text messaging for families with young children from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds (Healthy Kids Vids).
Locations: Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.
External Partners: The University of Wollongong.

The aim of this project is to evaluate the acceptability of audiovisual (AV) media and text messaging, in promoting child healthy eating and physical activity from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The objectives are to 1) develop a suite of six to twelve short audiovisual clips narrated by parents of young children from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and a bank of related text messages which focus on key healthy eating and physical activity practices, personal experiences and recounts; and 2) determine the acceptability and feasibility of the audiovisual clips and text messages for parents of young children from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Kariippanon K, Okley T, Wardle K, Camilleri M, Norman J, Budgen P, Callahan H, Race Around Australia (RAA) Evaluation.
Locations: Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District Ambulatory and Primary Care Services.
External Partners: University of Wollongong, South Western Sydney Local Health District.

The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility, acceptability and efficacy of Race Around Australia (RAA) on health and well-being outcomes among children in primary and secondary schools in the Illawarra Shoalhaven and South Western Sydney Local Health Districts. RAA is a school-based physical activity initiative where classes and schools virtually race each other around Australia. Baseline and follow-up measurements will be collected from students (Years 5-8) and will include cardiovascular fitness, physical activity, sedentary time and wellbeing. Feasibility and acceptability will be assessed through interviews with the teachers following their intervention period.

Nicholls N, Tavener-Smith K, Powter H, Middleton M, Reported long term benefits and feedback of participants who completed a lifestyle program between 2015-2020.
Locations: Illawarra Shoalhaven Ambulatory and Primary Health Care.
External Partners: The University of Wollongong, Wollongong City Council.

This research will assess the longer term lifestyle impacts of a 12-24 week exercise program. It will determine if there if the program shows a long term benefit of exercise integrated into lifestyle following a directed exercise program. Through partnering with consumers it further will research if there is interest to align nutrition-related advice alongside an exercise program to enhance the programs outcomes and benefit to participants in the future. 

Norman J, Furber S, Family text messages - a pilot study.
Locations: Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.

The aims of this pilot study are : 1) To test the feasibility and acceptability of a text message program for parents of primary school-aged children on their children’s healthy eating and physical activity behaviours; 2) To assess preliminary effect sizes of the program on children’s healthy eating and physical activity behaviours as a result of the intervention.

Okley A, Furber S, Wardle K, Hammersley M, Elbayeh L, Ryan S, Davis M, Basheer M, The potential acceptability of a Smartphone App to promote healthy eating and physical activity among stakeholders of the Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) sector.
Locations: Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.
External Partners: University of Wollongong, South Western Sydney Local Health District.

The aim of this study is to explore the acceptability of the use of a Smartphone app for the promotion of healthy eating and physical activity in OSHC services. The method is to conduct focus groups and semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders within the OSHC sector about the acceptability and use of a Smartphone app.  The feedback received from the focus groups/ interviews will be valuable as it will inform our intervention study which will assist OSHC services in improving healthy eating behaviours, sedentary behaviour and the levels of physical activity in primary school aged children (4 – 12 years) attending OSHC services. 

Okley A, Furber S, Wardle K, Hammersley M, Patel L, Ryan S, Davies M, Evaluating the acceptability, feasibility, and potential effectiveness of a mobile Health intervention (the Eat Smart Play Smart App) for the promotion of healthy eating and physical activity in Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) services.
Locations: Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.
External Partners: The University of Wollongong, South Western Sydney Local Health District.

The purpose of this research study is to evaluate the feasibility of the Eat Smart Play Smart App with OHSC services to improve educators' practices in the promotion of healthy eating and physical activity behaviours among attending children. Snack foods and participation in physical activity among children attending OSHC services will be observed at the start and at the end of the study. In addition, the services that receive access to the App will be asked to complete an online questionnaire to determine user satisfaction with various aspects of the App. App usage data will automatically be captured to inform assessments of the strengths and weakness of the App. This study will analyse staff engagement with the ESPS App and consider its associations with changes in educators' practices in promoting healthy eating and physical activity. 

Okely A, Norman J, Wardle K, Probst Y, Davies M, Ryan S, Woods A, Co-design of a physical activity and healthy eating intervention in Outside School Hours Care services.
Locations: Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.
External Partners: The University of Wollongong, South Western Sydney Local Health District.

The aim of this study is to involve Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) stakeholders and end-users in the co-creation of an intervention for the promotion of physical activity and healthy eating in OSHC services. The method is to conduct focus groups and semi-structured interviews. In these, the results from the observational audit will be presented, and possible intervention strategies discussed with key stakeholders. The purpose of the focus groups and interviews is to inform the development of a physical activity and healthy eating intervention in the setting.

Okely A, Wardle K, Norman J, Kelly B, Ryan S, Tran G, Developing and testing an online support tool for service providers and educators in family day care to improve nutrition and physical activity practice.
Locations: Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.
External Partners: The University of Wollongong, South Western Sydney Local Health District.

The aim of this study is to develop and trial an online support tool for service providers and educators to improve practices and environments related to healthy eating and movement behaviours in family day care. This study will utilise focus groups to obtain feedback from key stakeholders to inform the development of the tool. The purpose of the focus group is to obtain sector feedback on the relevance, clarity, content and format of the proposed tool.

Phillipson L, Pitts L, Supporting a Community Dialogue about Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Community Involvement in the New South Wales School-Based Vaccination Program.
Locations: Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.
External Partners: University of Wollongong.

This research aims to support two Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) community dialogue groups about the school-based vaccination program.  The aim of these dialogue groups is to explore and understand how CALD communities experience and understand the school based vaccination program, and how these experiences may influence vaccination perceptions and decision-making, and suggest further research phases to address these barriers.

Westley-Wise V, Frew H, Taylor K, Mayne D, Keighley C, Lovatt D, Jones S, Burns P, Seale H, Experience of COVID-19 testing across Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.
Locations: Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.
External Partners: University of Wollongong, The University of New South Wales, Southern IML.

This is a collaborative study between the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District and Southern IML Pathology. The primary objective of the study is to ascertain and compare the patient experience, including level of discomfort, between two COVID-19 test collecting methods (throat and single turbinate swabs verses nasopharyngeal). The secondary objective of the study is to evaluate and compare participants’ intention to be retested for COVID-19 following their most recent experience. We hypothesise that a lower level of perceived discomfort will be associated with a higher likelihood of retesting for COVID-19 should it be deemed necessary. 

Stratten M, MacPhail C, Lisle S, Further Assessing Impact of a Sexual Health and Relationships Kit.
Locations: Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.
External Partners: University of Wollongong.

Phase one of evaluation of the Sexual Health and Relationships Kit included targeted focus groups with international students. The outcomes informed the re-print and phase two of the evaluation where The Kit will be distributed to 5,000 international and domestic students at the University of Wollongong during Spring and Autumn orientation weeks. Through an online survey, this evaluation project will explore the impact of this resource and obtain feedback from participants to further inform the 'scale up' of this resource Kit.