Medicine (St Vincent's) - Theses
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ItemA genome stability pathway with dual roles in meiosis and germ cell development( 2022)Chromosome segregation errors because of meiotic recombination of are a leading cause of pregnancy loss. In the case of live births can cause serious congenital aneuploidy such as trisomy 21. Meiotic recombination pairs homologous chromosomes to promote large scale exchanges of genetic information, resulting in recombinant haploid gametes (sperm or eggs). Meiotic recombination begins with many programmed DNA double strand breaks (DSBs). The vast majority of these DSBs is repaired directly and only a small subset leads to genetic exchange between the two parental chromosomes, also known as crossing over. This suggests there are factors that actively promote DSB repair as non-crossovers. In my PhD project, I studied the role of a DNA repair protein, FANCM, and how crossover rates are altered in a Fancm knockout mouse model. My results indicate that FANCM deletion leads to two distinct but related outcomes: 1) increased genome instability in the all the cells of the body and 2) increased crossover rates between homologous chromosomes in meiotic cells. As a result of overall genome instability, there is increased spontaneous DNA damage leading to perturbed germ cell production, reducing spermatogenesis in Fancm-knockout males and reduced fertility in Fancm-knockout females. The absence of FANCM alters the DSB repair pathway choice in meiotic cells, resulting in more crossovers compared to wild-type conditions. Therefore, FANCM plays an important role in regulating crossover designation and balancing the exchange of genetic information during each reproductive generation. My work and further investigations into reproductive biology will provide more insight into how DNA repair defects may cause human congenital aneuploidies and could shed light on earlier diagnostic opportunities.
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ItemBehavioural treatment for functional bowel symptoms in inflammatory bowel disease( 2022)Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic relapsing and remitting inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, with the most common sub-types being Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Despite achieving disease remission patients with inflammatory bowel disease often experience persisting bowel symptoms, considered “functional in nature”, including increased bowel frequency, urgency, faecal incontinence, constipation (low bowel frequency or difficult rectal emptying), abdominal pain, bloating, and anorectal pain. Some patients with ulcerative colitis require major surgery, involving colectomy and construction of a neo-rectum or ileoanal pouch. Many continue to have similar long-term symptoms. Poor health-related quality of life, anxiety, depression, and health-seeking behaviour are associated with these functional bowel disorders in patients with IBD. Behavioural treatment for bowel dysfunction incorporates education, muscular and sensory rehabilitation, defaecation training, practical management strategies, and psychological support. It is of proven efficacy in the non-IBD population but the evidence in patients with IBD is extremely limited. The primary aim of this thesis is to determine the efficacy of behavioural treatment, including pelvic floor muscle training, for persistent bowel symptoms in patients with quiescent IBD or an ileoanal pouch. These studies have demonstrated that behavioural treatment is an effective management strategy for patients with quiescent IBD, in both public and private healthcare settings. It reduces symptom severity and improves health-related quality of life. The long-term findings of the prospective LIBERATE study found that most patients had maintained the improvement in symptoms at 12 months after completing treatment. The cross-sectional study of patients with an ileoanal pouch confirms that many do have long-term pouch dysfunction, and most have learned to live with it. The preliminary findings of the randomised controlled RAP trial, for patients undergoing pouch surgery, demonstrate statistically significant superiority of peri-operative physiotherapist-led behavioural intervention over standard or usual care, with regard to symptoms, psychological well-being, and quality of life. This thesis includes the first studies examining pelvic floor muscle function in patients with IBD using real-time ultrasound. They are also the first studies to use transperineal ultrasound as an outcome measure following pelvic floor behavioural treatment for faecal incontinence or defaecatory dysfunction. Transperineal ultrasound identified pelvic floor muscle dysfunction and accurate displacement, although these were not associated with the primary outcomes of treatment. Real-time ultrasound examination was well tolerated and an excellent non-invasive biofeedback tool for patients with IBD and pelvic floor muscle dysfunction. The findings from this thesis provide a clear rationale for behavioural treatment to be offered to patients, particularly when other therapies have failed. This work also suggests that identifying functional bowel symptoms earlier and treating them effectively may minimise the impact on psychological well-being and quality of life, particularly for those undergoing major pouch surgery. Improving the recognition of functional bowel symptoms and providing evidence for behavioural treatment as a safe and effective management option has the potential to alter the current model of care and reduce the personal and economic burden of IBD.
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ItemEnhancing the hepatitis B care cascade in Australia: addressing barriers in the Chinese community and general practice, and evaluating cost-effectiveness( 2021)Chronic hepatitis B infection is a significant global public health concern, with untreated chronic hepatitis B leading to cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer. In 2015, an estimated 257 million people worldwide were living with chronic hepatitis B, of whom only around 10% were diagnosed, and fewer than 1% received treatment. An estimated 870,000 deaths are attributed to hepatitis B each year. In 2016, the World Health Organization launched the global health sector strategy on eliminating viral hepatitis, which provides guidance and frameworks for country efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis as a major public health threat by 2030. In Australia, despite a high hepatitis B vaccination rate by global standards, there are significant gaps in the coverage of service delivery among people living with chronic hepatitis B. One in three people with chronic hepatitis B are not diagnosed, and 78% are not receiving ongoing clinical care. One of the priority populations of hepatitis B infection are people born in endemic countries, with China being the most common country of birth among overseas-born people living with hepatitis B in Australia. To increase hepatitis B diagnosis, care and treatment (that is, to enhance the hepatitis B care cascade) in Australia, several critical areas for improvement have been identified, including adapting services to the affected population, building health workforce capacity to meet demands, and building the investment case to support models of care that will promote hepatitis B elimination. The overarching aim of the research presented in this thesis was to generate evidence targeting each of these three aspects, with particular emphasis on: 1) engaging the Chinese community in hepatitis B testing and clinical management; 2) engaging general practitioners (GPs) in the provision of hepatitis B-related care; and 3) formulating a robust hepatitis B investment case. To accomplish these objectives, five interlocking studies were conducted. The first two studies focused on an affected community (the Australian Chinese community), the second two on health service providers, and the final study on the cost effectiveness of hepatitis B care. More specifically: Study 1 was a randomised controlled pilot and feasibility study of the impacts of an educational program designed to improve hepatitis B testing uptake in the Australian Chinese community; Study 2 was a qualitative study to explore enablers of hepatitis B clinical management among the Australian Chinese community; Study 3 was a before-and-after evaluation of a self-guided learning package among GPs practising in Victoria; Study 4 was a nationwide survey of knowledge, attitudes, barriers and enablers to the provision of hepatitis B care among GPs in Australia; and Study 5 was a cost-effectiveness study analysing the impacts of enhancing hepatitis B care cascade to reach global and national targets in Australia. The findings of this research indicated that a culturally tailored education program can contribute to improving hepatitis B-related knowledge among the Australian Chinese community. Key messages identified to resonate most strongly among people living with chronic hepatitis B included availability of effective and cheap treatment, and that long-term engagement with clinical management has substantial benefits. A holistic response from community, healthcare providers and the public health sector is required to motivate testing and clinical management among the Australian Chinese community at risk of hepatitis B infection. Additionally, this research showed that concise, clear and practical resources can support GPs to identify who to test for hepatitis B. It also showed that GPs lack of awareness, knowledge, confidence and intention to prescribe treatment for hepatitis B, highlighting the need for interventions to increase their interest and skills in the provision of hepatitis B-related care. Economic evaluation findings suggest that an improvement in the hepatitis B care cascade is required for Australia to reach the global 2030 targets, and that it is cost-effective to spend up to AUD328 million to AUD538 million per year on demand generation activities to reach the national and global targets. Overall, this research provides novel evidence about feasible and effective interventions for improving the hepatitis B care cascade in Australia. It also provides insights into ways to enhance the global hepatitis B care cascade.
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ItemThe roles of retinoic acid receptors and target gene HOXA1 in regulating haematopoiesis and myelodysplastic syndromes( 2022)Haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are multipotent cells responsible for the maintenance of the haematopoietic system throughout life. Dysregulation of the balance between HSC self-renewal, death and differentiation can have serious consequences such as myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) or leukaemia. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), the biologically active metabolite of retinoic acid (RA) has pleiotropic effects on haematopoietic cells, maintaining haematopoiesis via complex intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms involving retinoic acid receptor-alpha (RARalpha) and RARgamma signalling. Conditional murine Rar knockout models were utilised to determine the intrinsic and extrinsic impacts of Rara and/or Rarg deletion on HSCs and their progeny in vivo via global, postnatal deletion, haematopoietic cell-specific deletion (whole bone marrow transplants (WBMTs)) and HSC and progenitor-specific deletion (Lineage-c-Kit+Sca-1+ (LKS+) WBMTs). These data revealed novel roles of Rara in haematopoiesis, with postnatal deletion resulting in intrinsically-mediated myeloid-biased haematopoiesis, reduced numbers of CD8+ T cells and altered HSC reconstitution capacity, in addition to extrinsically-mediated aberrant BM erythropoiesis and B lymphopoiesis. Loss of either Rara and/or Rarg resulted in myeloid-biased haematopoiesis and concurrent deletion (expression of Rarb only) enhanced HSC exhaustion. Contrary to germline Rarg-/- studies, postnatal Rarg deletion had a limited impact on haematopoiesis. The observed phenotypical differences between germline and global, postnatal Rar deletions may be due to a combination of developmental and microenvironmental interactions, interactions between Rara and Rarg and their differential target genes and compensatory effects. Whilst the relative contribution of RA signalling to its haematopoietic regulation is unknown, homeoboxa1 (HOXA1) is an RARgamma target gene and its full-length isoform (HOXA1-FL) is frequently upregulated in human MDS. A series of studies utilising conditional murine haematopoietic Hoxa1 knockin mice revealed that whilst recipient mice developed MDS during serial transplantation, consistent with previous studies, the levels of Hoxa1-FL overexpression were insufficient to result in progression to secondary acute myeloid leukaemia (sAML). Additionally, Hoxa1 overexpression resulted in profound, persistent and serially transplantable macrothrombocytopenia despite a depleted yet highly megakaryocyte-primed HSC and progenitor compartment. The macrothrombocytopenia resulted from ineffective thrombopoiesis by dysfunctional, low ploidy megakaryocytes, potentially due to inflammation-mediated lineage skewing and/or late-stage developmental defect(s). Dysregulated BM erythropoiesis and granulopoiesis were also observed. These phenotypes were consistently evident early, persisted in non-transplanted pre-malignant mice and became more profound during serial transplantation and after MDS progression. Phenotypic severity also depended on Hoxa1 gene-dosage and isoform expression. Furthermore, the megakaryocyte-priming correlated to increased DNA damage and/or deficient DNA damage responses (DDR), increased expression of inflammatory markers and altered programmed cell death, suggesting that an altered inflammatory microenvironment and associated haematopoietic lineage skewing may have contributed to the Hoxa1-FL-mediated haematopoietic defects, although this remains under investigation. Whilst the precise mechanisms underlying these phenotypes therefore remain to elucidated, it is evident that Rara, Rarg and Hoxa1-FL have pleiotropic impacts on haematopoiesis that are both cell-type and maturation-stage dependent. Elucidation of these effects in murine models are critical steps in the development of targeted therapies for MDS patients with increased Hoxa1-FL expression and for other haematopoietic malignancies to which dysregulated Hoxa1 and/or RA signalling may contribute.
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ItemImpaired awareness of hypoglycaemia in type 1 diabetes: Challenges to achieving metabolic control and advances in therapeutic options to replace beta cell function( 2021)Impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia (IAH) affects an estimated 20% of people living with type 1 diabetes and increases the risk of severe hypoglycaemia six-fold. The increased susceptibility to hypoglycaemia results from defective physiological defences in response to a fall in blood glucose levels, leading to IAH and a self-perpetuating cycle of recurrent hypoglycaemia. People with IAH and recurrent severe hypoglycaemia have high morbidity and mortality, though this remains to be fully defined. The management of individuals with IAH is complex. A staged clinical approach has been proposed which includes educational, technological and transplantation interventions, aiming to avoid hypoglycaemia. Novel diabetes therapies and technologies, in particular closed-loop insulin delivery systems, also known as the ‘artificial pancreas’, may be a viable alternative therapeutic option to manage these high-risk individuals. This thesis focuses on IAH in adults with type 1 diabetes, aiming to better define mortality risk in people living with IAH and recurrent severe hypoglycaemia, and to better understand strategies to address challenges to achieving optimal glycaemic control. The original research conducted in this thesis also investigates the efficacy of hybrid closed-loop technology and a novel insulin formulation to optimise overall glucose control, and specifically, for individuals with IAH, to minimise hypoglycaemia and potentially ameliorate hypoglycaemia awareness. The first study of this thesis explored mortality rates and cause of death in adults with IAH and recurrent severe hypoglycaemia who were considered for islet transplantation. This study found that hypoglycaemia-related mortality was high in those who did not undergo islet transplantation, which is considered gold standard for this vulnerable group. These findings highlight the importance of seeking alternative technology-based therapeutic options for those who are deemed not suitable for transplantation or for those awaiting transplantation. The findings from this study also justify the importance of the subsequent studies of this thesis. The following two studies of this thesis investigated whether novel technology, specifically advanced hybrid closed-loop algorithms and faster-acting insulin formulations, which are two important components critical to the success of a closed-loop system, can improve glucose control further in a well-controlled general adult population with type 1 diabetes. Overall high glucose time-in-range, high time spent in closed-loop, positive user acceptability with no major safety concerns demonstrated promising progression in the evolution of these technologies, and warrants broader evaluation in a group with IAH. The fourth randomised crossover study investigated glucose control and counterregulatory responses using a hybrid closed-loop system in adults with IAH when undertaking moderate- and high-intensity exercise. This is a particularly challenging area for people with IAH due to the risk of exercise-associated hypoglycaemia. Closed-loop use during exercise was safe and effective with minimal hypoglycaemia, despite an overall attenuated counterregulatory response to exercise, though the cortisol response to high-intensity exercise was preserved. The final study brought together elements of the preceding studies to comprehensively evaluate adults with IAH and recurrent severe hypoglycaemia, comparable to those who meet criteria for islet transplantation. Findings demonstrated that a hybrid closed-loop system improved overall glucose control without an increase in hypoglycaemia, reduced glucose variability, reduced quantitative composite hypoglycaemia scores, and partially improved glucose counterregulatory responses without restoration of hypoglycaemia awareness compared with standard diabetes therapy. This thesis adds a substantial body of knowledge towards the current understanding of IAH and its associated burden, and the strengths and limitations of hybrid closed-loop insulin delivery for the management of adults with IAH. This work contributes added knowledge towards better delineating and improving decision algorithms to allocate closed-loop systems or transplantation to the most appropriate recipients. Until a biological cure is achieved, ongoing advances in both automated insulin delivery systems and beta cell replacement with transplantation will continue to improve biological and psychosocial outcomes for this vulnerable group of people living with type 1 diabetes.
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ItemSingle-cell analysis of ab versus gd T cell development( 2022)T cells are divided into the alphabeta and gammadelta lineages. It is currently thought both lineages develop in the thymus from common uncommitted progenitors that are seeded from the bone marrow. Over the years, studies at a population level have identified many of the specific genes that must be activated or silenced as T cell progenitors differentiate towards either lineage. Despite much effort over the years, it is still unknown whether this combination of activation and silencing occurs in each cell as they differentiate. In addition, the exact branch point at which the alphabeta and gammadelta lineages diverge remains contentious. Although the prevailing T cell developmental model assumes that the gammadelta lineage branches from the main developmental pathway around the DN2b and DN3a stages, which is when definitive gammadelta lineage markers become obvious, it is still unclear whether this is actually the case. To better understand the development of the gammadelta lineage, the kinetics of alphabeta versus gammadelta T cell development were tracked in OP9-DL1 cultures. This revealed the two lineages may develop along different pathways. Moreover, cellular barcoding analysis of CD4-CD8- double negative 1 (DN1) thymocytes, which suggested these thymocytes may in fact be a heterogenous mixture consisting of distinct subpopulations that develop into either alphabeta cells or gammadelta cells. To investigate the early alphabeta versus gammadelta T cell development more precisely, single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) was employed to determine the transcriptional profiles of individual DN and gammadelta thymocytes, which was then used to re-assemble de novo a model of the early stages in T cell development. >20,000 DN and gammadelta thymocytes were analysed using Chromium 10X scRNA-seq over three runs. Hierarchical clustering revealed that early thymocyte populations are much more complex than the standard view of early T cell development. Computational trajectory analyses suggested that the alphabeta versus gammadelta decision may actually be established at the DN1 stage, which is consistent with the previous cellular barcoding experiments. Eight transcriptionally distinct DN1 subpopulations were identified. One or more of these may be the bipotent precursor(s) of both alphabeta and gammadelta lineages. Alternatively, it may be that specific subpopulations are precursors of the alphabeta lineages, while others are precursors of the gammadelta lineage. To investigate this, these subpopulations were sorted and analysed for the lineage outcomes in OP9-DL1 co-cultures. I show that distinct DN1 subpopulations are in fact restricted to the alphabeta lineage, while others are restricted to the gammadelta lineage. Moreover, specific gammadelta-primed DN1 subpopulations preferentially develop into IL-17 or IFNg-producing gammadelta T cells, well before the expression of lineage-defining T cell receptors. Thus, T cell lineage decisions are already hardwired from the earliest stages of T cell development. These new insights into hardwiring of lineage commitment represents a paradigm-change in our understanding of early T cell development. This has the potential to form the basis for more comprehensive research to elucidate underlying molecular mechanisms and framework to address how the lineage decision is made. Ultimately, this will have significant implications on designing novel therapeutics targets for treating diseases.
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ItemDefining and Treating Crohn's Disease Strictures( 2021)Crohn’s disease, one of two main Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), is a relapsing and remitting inflammatory condition of the digestive tract leading to progressive and cumulative damage to the gastrointestinal tract. Strictures are the most common complication of Crohn's disease. Already at diagnosis between 11% and 30% of patients have stricturing disease and 1 in 3 will develop stricturing after five years, with many requiring bowel surgery. Previously, strictures have been regarded as a contraindication for drug therapy, based on the premise that such strictures comprise irreversible fibrosis. Treatment has been endoscopic dilation or surgery. Pathways leading to fibrosis are now more comprehensively understood and the important contribution of both acute and chronic inflammation as well as smooth muscle hyperplasia/hypertrophy are increasingly recognized as key factors in stricture pathogenesis. This thesis investigates, in a range of studies, the diagnostic, prognostic and non-surgical treatment modalities for patients with stricturing Crohn’s disease. I have comprehensively reviewed the current evidence for drug therapy in Crohn’s disease and highlighted the limited current data supporting drug treatment in the management of strictures. In addition, I have outlined the current position for endoscopic therapy, particularly endoscopic balloon dilation as part of the management of strictures. I have evaluated the key demographic, clinical, endoscopic and imaging risk factors for progression to surgery. The key role of MRI small bowel for detailed evaluation of patients with stricturing Crohn’s and its utility to predict stricture surgery has been defined. The Stricture Definition and Treatment (STRIDENT) study is the first randomised controlled study of drug treatment in stricturing Crohn’s disease. As part of this study, I have demonstrated the outcomes of drug therapy, including intensive drug treatment with treat to target dosing of adalimumab in combination with a thiopurine, and treatment with standard dosing anti-TNF monotherapy. In addition to clinical outcomes, this study prospectively and objectively demonstrates the morphological stricture changes associated with treatment using multiple imaging modalities (MRI, intestinal ultrasound, and endoscopy) and the effect on biomarkers of inflammation (CRP, faecal calprotectin). This research has demonstrated that Crohn’s disease strictures are responsive to drug therapy and that tighter control from intensive treatment results in less treatment failure and greater improvement in stricture morphology. These series of studies on the diagnosis and treatment of patients with stricturing Crohn’s disease will help change the current treatment paradigm for this disabling condition. Future scientific studies will provide further insights into the pathophysiology of strictures to further improve patient outcomes.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableAlcohol and recreational drug use in young adults with type 1 diabetes( 2021)Navigating the transition from adolescence to young adulthood can be challenging and this period is associated with peak alcohol and drug use. For those diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, the burden of continuous blood glucose management along with the developmental tasks of young adulthood can become overwhelming. Clinicians, researchers, and consumer groups have raised concerns regarding the potential impact of alcohol and illicit drug use on the early morbidity and mortality seen in young adults with type 1 diabetes. The prevalence of alcohol and recreational drug use amongst young adults with type 1 diabetes approaches the general population and they experience more substance related harm. The experiences of young adults with type 1 diabetes while using substances and the effect of substance use on blood glucose levels remains understudied, with only a small number of short studies often conducted in a laboratory or non-naturalistic environment looking at alcohol consumption's influence on blood glucose. These studies have provided conflicting results. This thesis examines these experiences and contains two literature review and the results of four research studies performed for this doctorate. The literature reviews include a general paper pertaining to alcohol and recreational drug use in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The second review focuses on young adults with type 1 diabetes and a third section provides an update on important studies performed since publication of those reviews. Study 1 is a qualitative analysis of semi structured interviews (n=16) focused on substance using experiences and harm minimisation tools used by young adults with type 1 diabetes. It explores the specific experiences where substance use impedes attempts at glucose management and the tools used by young adults to mitigate this harm. Study 2 is a quantitative survey study (n= 96) of substance use prevalence, beliefs about effects of substances on blood glucose levels and harm minimisation tools in a cohort of young adults with type 1 diabetes. The results showed no consistency regarding the perceived effect of alcohol on blood glucose levels and that harm minimisation measures were recognised and used by over 50% of the cohort. Study 3 is a survey of clinicians (n=79) that explored their approach to screening and intervention. It showed greater confidence in screening and management of the interaction of alcohol with type 1 diabetes than for other recreational illicit drugs. Study 4 is a prospective experimental study using flash glucose monitoring (n=20) to explore the "real world" effect of substance use on blood glucose metrics. While there was no difference between glucose outcomes on days where substances were used compared with control days, HbA1c (a marker of 3-monthly glucose management) was found to be a less reliable predictor of glucose patterns following substance use than on non-substance using days. Overall, the results across these studies contribute to our understanding of the interaction between substance use and managing type 1 diabetes. This knowledge should aid in the approach of both young adults with type 1 diabetes and their clinicians. They document the experiences of young adults allowing for more sophisticated conversations with their care providers as well as the harm reduction measures already taken. They also highlight that even those with good metabolic control remain at risk of acute harm following drug and alcohol use. The outcomes of this thesis should encourage clinicians to screen young adults with type 1 diabetes for alcohol and drug use and to counsel them regarding potential harm reduction measures. It should also influence the educational literature and other sources of information used by young adults with type 1 diabetes on the need to monitor and respond to their glucose levels following substance use and engage in harm minimisation practices irrespective of baseline glucose management.
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ItemUnderstanding renal clinician attitudes, experiences and practice of renal supportive care, palliative care and end of life care( 2021)Abstract: People with end stage kidney disease (ESKD) report high symptom burden, complex care needs and often have limited prognosis. Renal supportive care (RSC) also known as kidney supportive care, is a clinical approach integrating nephrology and palliative care expertise to improve symptom management, treatment decision making and quality of life (QOL) for people with advanced kidney disease. Renal supportive care and palliative care have been described to improve quality of life, symptom burden and care coordination, however in practice, across Australia, renal clinicians’ perceptions of the renal supportive care and it’s role alongside nephrology care and specialist palliative care are unknown. The period of time referred to as ‘end of life’ is defined, for the purposes of this thesis, as that time when an individual who is living with, and impaired by a serious illness is considered likely to die within 12 months. This period can be a complex and challenging for renal patients, caregivers and clinicians. Recent international quantitative and qualitative studies have articulated issues and concerns raised by nephrologists, in particular, when navigating end of life decision making. Communication about prognosis and provision of end of life care is described as wanting in routine ESKD care, with some clinicians feeling inadequately prepared to have these discussions, others describing an avoidance of raising the prospect of death with patients due to concerns of damaging the patient-doctor relationship and a desire to instil hope. Renal clinicians’ experiences of transitioning treatment goals from life sustaining treatments to care focusing on symptoms and comfort including how palliative care and renal supportive care is integrated for patients in Australia have largely been undocumented. This thesis aimed to explore renal clinicians’ experiences of providing end of life care, of palliative care and of renal supportive care and to identify the strengths, limitations and opportunities of current practice to improve clinical care. In addition, this study aimed to develop recommendations regarding core duties, features of a clinical model of renal supportive care and issues to be considered for future renal supportive care service development and integration. A sequential mixed methods study was undertaken with three phases; (1) a qualitative study of 53 Victorian renal clinicians to understand experiences of providing end of life care, of palliative care and of renal supportive care, (2) an online survey of 382 renal clinicians’ experiences across Australia and New Zealand to distil components and priorities for renal supportive care services and, (3) establishment of a multidisciplinary advisory group to oversee the integration of data and develop recommendations for establishing renal supportive care services in Victoria. This program of work has demonstrated that many clinicians viewed renal supportive care as widely accepted and valuable including at a phase in the illness before patients are imminently dying, particularly in the area of symptom management. However, variation in resources, information and communication systems and healthcare delivery of renal supportive care within and between health services contributed to a wide diversity of definitions, clinical scopes and for some clinicians, uncertainty of benefit. Palliative care was viewed as valuable, especially for the final days to weeks of life, yet, was also considered to be physically and philosophically separate from nephrology care. The majority of difficult experiences reported by clinicians in end of life care provision were associated with views of compromised decision making. Decisions that were too late, rushed, or associated with a lack of agreement between patients, families and treating teams, with concerns of patients suffering or an inability to express their wishes or preferences were most concerning. When describing their experiences of renal patients deteriorating and dying, renal clinicians described a set of shared values. These included an ongoing commitment to care for patients, the importance of clinical leadership and a respect for patient choice in decision making. Experiences of distress and professional and moral discomfort were reported by renal clinicians when one or more of these values were perceived to be threatened or compromised. The Victorian renal supportive care advisory group recommended a consensus definition of renal supportive care, an ideal renal supportive care model and dedicated resources for data collection and collaboration across nephrology units to develop renal supportive care services and improve end of life experiences for patients and clinicians. In conclusion, providing end of life care to patients was often experienced as complex, uncertain, and at times, uncomfortable and distressing for renal clinicians. This was due to multiple contributory healthcare system, clinical, and patient factors, in addition to professional pressures and expectations to continue to provide care that enhanced both quality and quantity of life. These factors were often perceived as barriers for clinicians in holding earlier discussions and planning the end of life care for patients with advanced renal disease. Challenging end of life care experiences were conceptualised in terms of a self-perpetuating cycle where difficult experiences were associated with compromised professional values, variable or limited renal supportive care and palliative care support, and with little education or specific resources which served in turn to reinforce the ongoing challenges for clinicians. Opportunities or entry points to change this cycle included reconceptualising patient education and systematic approaches to articulate and integrate renal supportive care and palliative care in nephrology care. This thesis has demonstrated the ways in which experiences of providing end of life care can be challenging and the reasons renal supportive care and palliative care have not yet been established within routine nephrology care. It has also articulated approaches to address these barriers and future aspirations of renal supportive care provision including the clinical and research priorities to improve patient and clinician experiences of receiving and providing end of life care.
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ItemA model of culturally informed integration of Diabetes Education and diabetic Eye disease Screening (iDEES) in Indigenous primary care settings( 2021)Diabetes mellitus, particularly Type 2 diabetes (T2D), is a fast-growing pandemic and leading public health problem. If not managed well, T2D can lead to serious complications, such as diabetic retinopathy (DR). DR is a retinal complication of diabetes and one of the leading causes of vision impairment and blindness in working-aged adults globally. Although there have been many attempts to treat and eradicate DR, the burden tends to fall on the most vulnerable people in low-income countries, rural settings, and indigenous populations. Indigenous Australians are more likely to have T2D and are at higher risk of being visually impaired or going blind due to DR then non-Indigenous Australians. Studies have demonstrated that early detection and management practices, such as DR screening, are effective strategies to detect and manage DR to reduce the risk of sight-threatening visual complications and blindness (NHMRC, 2008). Despite the benefits of DR screening, screening rates among Indigenous Australians are substantially lower than in non-Indigenous Australians. Thus, understanding the association between diabetes and its complications, above all DR, and the importance of regular eye screening is very important for both individuals with diabetes and healthcare clinicians involved in providing diabetes support and diabetes self-management education. Technological advances and the Medicare rebates that support the use of non-ophthalmic clinicians (general practitioners, diabetes educators, health workers and endocrinologists) to supplement coverage by ophthalmologists and optometrists can extend retinopathy screening capacity and should also facilitate improved DR screening rates among Indigenous Australians. Diabetes educators are part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team and are integral to improving diabetes support and self-management education to assist people with diabetes. Integrating ocular screening and diabetes education in primary healthcare settings has potential to synergistically improve retinopathy screening coverage, patient self-management, risk factor control, diabetes care satisfaction, health economics and sustainability of under-resourced services. Hypotheses The studies in this thesis are based on the hypotheses that Indigenous Australian with diabetes are at high risk of diabetic retinopathy due to multiple factors, including suboptimal risk factor profiles; and that a novel model of nurse-led care provision can improve diabetic retinopathy screening rates, reduce risk factors for diabetic retinopathy, and in the longer-term reduce the rates of diabetic retinopathy and related complications. The overall goal is to develop, implement and assess a novel nurse-led model of culturally informed integrated diabetic eye screening and diabetes education in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs). Specific Aims 1. To develop, implement and assess a novel nurse-led model of culturally informed integrated diabetic eye screening and diabetes education for Indigenous Australian adults with diabetes in ACCHO primary care centres and related clinics in regional Victoria; including to determine (a) diabetic retinopathy screening coverage rates; (b) the prevalence of impaired vision and of diabetic retinopathy; (c) lifestyle-related risk factors for diabetes complications; (d) traditional risk factors levels including HbA1c, blood pressure and kidney function (ACCHO national key performance indicators), lipids and smoking; and (e) patient satisfaction with diabetes care. 2. To conduct a thematic review of self-management practices in Indigenous Australians related to smoking, nutrition, alcohol, physical activity and emotional wellbeing, as there is a paucity of data in this area. Methods The candidate developed a novel integrated Diabetes Education and diabetic Eye disease Screening (iDEES) model of care that was implemented and tested at three Indigenous-led primary care practices in regional Victoria, Australia. The trial was registered (ANZCTRN1261800120435) and ethics committee approved, and each participant provided written informed consent. The trial was of a pre-post design, with a single clinic visit at baseline and follow-up. Each visit included eye testing, surveys regarding lifestyle and diabetes education. Traditional risk factors, including BMI, blood pressure, smoking, HbA1c, kidney function, and lipid levels, were collected from the electronic medical record system, if available. The candidate was responsible for collecting all qualitative data, based on the surveys which, due to potential low literacy issues, she verbally administered to each study participant. This is culturally acceptable and often preferred in a culture with a strong oral tradition. The surveys were usually administered during a one-hour diabetes education and eye imaging appointment. Results were analysed using descriptive statistics, with significance taken at p < 0.05. A thematic literature review was undertaken. Results Overall 334 eligible patients, 171 (51%) participated. A high rate of 78% of the target population was screened at the main study site, in spite of COVID-19 restrictions with 76% being re-screened as per national recommendations. Smaller clinical services strived, but struggled, to embed this additional technology-based service for a range of reasons, predominantly due to understaffing, high staff turnover and management changes, with screening coverage of 18% and 27%. This study of screening coverage for diabetes eye care is one of very few available in the literature, in spite of it being a key metric for diabetes eye care. High rates of diabetic retinopathy (29%) were identified at all sites, on par with other studies of Indigenous Australians. The study also identified high rates of suboptimal self-management behaviour at all study sites, and at the main study site also identified suboptimal systemic risk factor control in adults with diabetes, with a median of four of nine traditional risk factor targets being achieved for women and three of nine for men. The vast majority participants reported being very satisfied with their current diabetes treatment. Follow-up regarding lifestyle and risk factors could not be repeated due to COVID-19 limitations. The literature review identified a knowledge gap in the areas of lifestyle and traditional risk factors among Indigenous Australians with diabetes. Hence, the data generated by the thesis contributed valuable new knowledge to the field. Conclusions An integrated nurse-led model of care was implemented in regional Australian ACCHOs and achieved diabetic retinopathy screening coverage rates of over 75% in the fully engaged sites, with much lower coverage at the less engaged sites. High rates of retinopathy and of adverse lifestyle and traditional risk factors were identified. This culturally acceptable nurse-led model of care merits longer-term follow-up and assessment in other sites, including whether it can improve long-term health outcomes for Indigenous Australians with diabetes.