The Centre for Clinical Change and Health Care Research is currently collaborating on the following Health Economics research projects:

Economic evaluation of OPAL (Obesity Prevention and Lifestyle)

Professor Julie Ratcliffe is leading the economic evaluation component of a study to assess the effectiveness of OPAL, a significant new childhood obesity prevention initiative supported by both State and Federal governments.

The overall aim of OPAL is to improve eating and activity patterns of children from families and communities in OPAL regions and thereby increase the proportion of children in the healthy weight range. The economic analysis of the OPAL program will assess the cost effectiveness of the intervention by comparing the total costs of the intervention with the primary measures of health outcome for the economic analysis: [1] the prevalence of healthy weight in children aged 4-5 years, 10-12 years and 13-15 years of age and [2] the quality adjusted life years (QALYs) gained as measured by the Child Health Utility 9D (CHU9D) instrument.

The time horizon for the economic analysis will reflect that of the overall evaluation (5 years). An economic modelling approach will also be used to extrapolate the likely longer term costs and benefits of OPAL. This study is due to be completed in 2015.

 

 

Key collaborators

PANORAMA Physical Activity and Nutrition Observatory: Research and Monitoring Alliance

Key contacts

Lead investigator: Professor Julie Ratcliffe
 

Key outcomes

South Australian Department of Health funding: $4,554,000

Economic evaluation of acupuncture to improve live birth rates for women undergoing IVF

This economic evaluation is currently being undertaken by Professor Julie Ratcliffe and forms part of a large randomised controlled trial study recently funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to investigate the clinical and cost effectiveness of acupuncture to improve live birth rates for IVF.

The primary hypothesis to be investigated is that women undergoing IVF plus acupuncture compared with a placebo control and standard care will demonstrate an increase in live birth rates. The secondary hypotheses are women undergoing IVF plus acupuncture compared with a placebo control and standard care will demonstrate: an increase in clinical pregnancy rates, reduced miscarriage, and improved quality of life and self efficacy.

This study will add significantly to the evidence base to allow conclusions to be made on the cost effectiveness of acupuncture to improve reproductive outcomes. The study results will inform policy makers, health care providers and women and men to make informed choices about the clinical and cost effectiveness of acupuncture to improve reproductive and other health outcomes. The study is due to be completed in 2014.

 


Key collaborators 

University of Western Sydney   University of New South Wales

Flinders University

Key contacts

Lead investigator:  Assoc Prof Caroline Smith, University of Western Sydney

Professor Julie Ratcliffe 

Key outcomes

NHMRC funding granted: $629,181

Engaging the public in healthcare decision making: Quantifying preferences for healthcare through Citizens' Juries

The study aims to promote public engagement and quantifies preferences in key areas of relevance to the industry partners (Queensland Health and Southern Adelaide Health Service). A series of choice experiments and citizens' juries will be used.

The project will facilitate identification and application of optimal methods for engaging the public in healthcare decision-making, provide guidance on the appropriate population groups to consider when eliciting consumer preferences, and provide direct public input to guide health policy. The approach will be able to be applied to different policy areas. The study is due to be completed in 2014.

 

 


Key collaborators

Griffith University    Queensland Health   Southern Adelaide Health Service    National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)

Key contacts

Lead investigator Professor Paul Scuffham, Griffith University

Professor Julie Ratcliffe 

Key outcomes

Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage funding: $547,288