Caboolture research trial to shape future of health care for kids
Dr Hsien-Jin Teoh, Dr Thuy Frakking and Dr John Waugh from Caboolture have welcomed a trial which will help shape the future of health
care for kids in Caboolture.
Caboolture Hospital Research Development Unit Research Coordinator Dr Thuy Frakking says this was a very exciting win for local families, community and paediatric services in the region.
“As part of the clinical trial, we will be exploring alternate care pathways led by an Allied Health Liaison Officer, for children newly diagnosed with chronic health and developmental conditions,” Dr Frakking says.
“Families who have children who suffer from chronic health conditions such as Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder find it harder to connect with specialist services especially in areas like Caboolture.
“We hope through this trial we can prove that connecting families to alternate pathways will lead to better health outcomes and improved prospects for their children.”
As part of the Children’s Clinic Care (ICCC) for vulnerable children with chronic health conditions, a randomised controlled trial will be undertaken with children across Caboolture and the surrounding regions.
“The research trial will be a multi-site collaboration between the Gold Coast University Hospital and Caboolture Hospital across paediatrics and allied health streams,” Dr Frakking says.
“The ICCC study will be one of the first to provide data on child and family quality of life, coupled with health economics outcome measures for children with a chronic health condition.”
The trial follows on from recent work undertaken as part of a partnership between Caboolture Hospital, the Caboolture GP Super Clinic and local organisations and schools – the Caboolture Health Care Alliance.
“Last year we supported 26 families as part of a pilot, which saw regular and ongoing care provided to their children through local primary care providers or the GP Super Clinic,” Dr Frakking says.
“These kids required ongoing care and support from community-based services as they either suffer an intellectual disability, or have behavioural problems or
development delays.”
Dr Frakking says results from the ICCC study will help shape the way we delivered health care to a growing population. Funding for the trial was awarded
through Queensland Health’s Health Practitioner Research Scheme.