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Doctoral
Thesis: Are
cardiac conditions in older women managed appropriately?
Supervisors: Professor
Annette Dobson & Professor Andrew Wilson
University: School
of Population Health, University of Queensland, Australia.
Purpose
of the study:
The
purpose of this substudy is to investigate the appropriateness
of treatment of older women with Acute Coronary Syndrome
(ACS) and chronic heart failure (CHF). The project is
based primarily on data collected from the Older cohort
(i.e. women aged 76-81). Using a self-report instrument,
this study aims to determine the extent to which management
of women with cardiac conditions departs from the best
practice guidelines as set out by Heart Foundation Australia
and the NHMRC. Hence the project will identify opportunities
for improvement of health services in terms of responsiveness
and appropriateness of treatment.
Background
and significance of the study
Review of the relevant research indicates that there
is a significant disparity between males and females
with cardiovascular disease in diagnosis, management
and clinical outcomes. While this discrepancy is due,
in part, to the way in which women perceive and present
with cardiac anomalies, there is also evidence that
women are not consistently managed according to best
practice guidelines.
2003
– Developing and refining the survey
A self-report questionnaire was sent to approximately
60 women who have been inpatients at The Prince Charles
Hospital (PCH) with a clinically established diagnosis
of either ACS or CHF. Participants were asked to comment
on the survey and prompts were provided. Each participant
was also given the option of being involved in a focus
group or phone interview. A series of focus groups was
conducted for the purposes of refining the questionnaire
2004
– 2005 Data collection and analysis
The survey was finalised and mailed to 1200 women in
July 2004. 1165 surveys were completed and returned.
Data entry and cleansing completed. Data analysis of
main study is in progress
2005
– Validation Study
A ‘validation’ study to verify the self-reported
diagnoses is in progress at The Prince Charles Hospital
has commenced.
2006
– Publications in progress
• Gaps in pharmacological and non-pharmacological
management of women
• Development and validation of a diagnostic algorithm
for CHF
To
contact Lindy:
Lindy Humphreyes-Reid
PO Box 625
Alderley QLD 4051
E mail: l.humphreyes-reid@sph.uq.edu.au
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