New Research to Inform Older Australians' Health Decisions

IRT Foundation has announced almost $160,000 in Research Grant funding for two new studies into the health care decisions of older Australians.

The University of Wollongong (UOW) will examine how health care professionals can optimise the involvement of older Australians in decisions about their care, and the National Institute of Complementary Medicine (NICM) at Western Sydney University will examine whether education can improve informed decision making regarding the use of complementary medicine.  

"IRT is proud to support research by Australian universities that helps older people to age positively, either through more informed self-care or driving advocacy on critical issues," said IRT Group Chief Executive, Nieves Murray.

"Since 2009 we have committed $1.9 million to a range of research projects covering areas from clinical care to social studies and technology.

"Our 2016 Research Grants program is focused squarely on older Australians themselves, encouraging them to be more involved in their health care and helping them make better use of off-the-shelf complementary medicines," she said.

UOW's Professor Andrew Bonney said he was thrilled to receive the funding and looked forward to engaging with patients and their health care providers to gain new insights into how complex care decisions are made.

"We know that older people with complex health care needs may sometimes feel confused about the care they are receiving and be unsure how to have their say," Professor Bonney said.

"Our research hopes to change that by recommending practical ways to better involve older patients in decisions about their care," he said.

Meanwhile, NICM’s Professor Caroline Smith will be drawing on her previous small scale study that identified knowledge gaps and skills amongst older people when understanding different information sources and evidence available regarding complementary medicine.

"With 58 percent of people aged over 65 years turning to complementary medicines to maintain their health, manage their ill health, improve their quality of life, and supplement their conventional healthcare plan, health literacy and education is crucial when making informed and appropriate self-care decisions and better use of complementary medicines,” said Professor Smith.

"My team and I are grateful for IRT Foundation's support and look forward to sharing our findings with the Australian public," she said.

The studies will take between 12 and 18 months to complete and the findings will be made publicly available. For more information go to www.irtfoundation.org.au

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