Social Cardiology

Unit Code

01789

Department/Institution Offering Unit

Heart Research Centre
PO Box 2137
The Royal Melbourne Hospital
Voctoria 3050 Australia

web: www.heartresearchcentre.org

Unit Points

Research Points: 87.5

Coursework Points: 12.5

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Contacts

Unit Coordinator/s:

Dr Marian Worcester
Director
Heart Research Centre
PO Box 2137
The Royal Melbourne Hospital
Victoria 3050 Australia

tel: +61 3 9326 8544
fax: +61 3 9326 5066
email: m.worcester@unimelb.edu.au

Alternative Contacts:

Dr Barbara Murphy
Senior Research Fellow
Heart Research Centre
PO Box 2137
The Royal Melbourne Hospital
Victoria 3050 Australia

tel: +61 3 9326 8544
fax: +61 3 9326 5066

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Overall Objectives

The Heart Research Centre (HRC) conducts research into the behavioural, psychological and social aspects of heart disease, particularly directed towards cardiac rehabilitation, secondary prevention and primary prevention in high risk groups. Several studies are in progress to develop, implement and evaluate interventions to improve behavioural and psychosocial outcomes of acute cardiac events. An important focus of the HRC's work is the application in practice of research findings to improve patients' quality of life and the delivery of health services. Research findings are also disseminated to health professionals working in chronic disease management through the Centre's various training programs in cardiovascular disease prevention and rehabilitation.

The AMS unit at the HRC aims to provide students with an understanding of research into the behavioural, psychological and social aspects of heart disease prevention and rehabilitation. The objectives of the unit are to enhance students' research and clinical cardiology skills by:

• Acquainting students with the psychosocial and behavioural aspects of heart disease and their relationship to disease onset and patient outcomes;
• Providing a practical understanding of the development and application of interventions to facilitate recovery and prevent further cardiac problems;
• Developing skills in research design, data acquisition including in-depth interviewing and risk factor screening, quantitative and qualitative data analysis and written and oral presentation; and
• Providing the opportunity to participate in the HRC's professional training programs which are aimed at enhancing the skills of professionals working with cardiac patients and others with a chronic disease.

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Content

Coursework: Intermediate Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Research: An original research project to be negotiated between the student and the Heart Research Centre.

Sample Research Topics: The breadth of the research program at the HRC means that a number of project possibilities exist for AMS student interested in research in the field of social cardiology. Sample research topics might include:

1. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) Screening for Risk Factors
CBT is designed to teach specific skills such as decision making, confidence building, coping with stress, maximising social support, self-reinforcement and relapse prevention. Cognitive restructuring methods are used to assist patients to identify and challenge irrational beliefs that underlie negative behaviours and emotions thereby removing barriers to change. Randomised controlled trials show CBT to be effective in reducing heart disease-related lifestyle problems such as smoking, obesity and hypertension.

A randomised controlled trial of a CBT intervention for cardiac patients is currently in progress to determine the effectiveness of group CBT in improving health behaviours and the management of depression. Patients are being recruited from The Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) and Melbourne Private Hospital.

Possible project duties include:

• Assistance with data collection including participation in a risk factor screening clinic and administration of questionnaires to document patients' functioning and health behaviour;
• Process evaluation of the trial including assessment of patients' satisfaction with the program; and
• Analysis and reporting of trial outcomes in collaboration with other research staff.

• establishing patients' mortality status via the Australian National Death Index, the Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, hospital records, physicians and relatives. Links between baseline depression and mortality during 20-year follow-up will be determined;
• using a variety of statistical techniques under supervision to examine the significance of both mild and major depression in predicting 20-year mortality; and
• reporting of outcomes.

3. Return to Work - GP Focus Groups and Patient Interviews

In Australia, while returning to the workforce is considered to be an important goal of cardiac rehabilitation, failure to successfully re-enter the workforce remains common for many patients. Although this outcome has been attributed to a variety of causes (level of education, occupational status, age, gender, location, migrant status etc) the area remains relatively under-investigated. This collaborative project between the HRC and Western Hospital aims to investigate factors facilitating or inhibiting work return of a consecutive series of patients admitted to Western Hospital following an acute cardiac event. The rates of return to work and factors influencing occupational outcomes will be investigated, as well as an exploration of general practitioner (GP) attitudes to return to work and perceptions of barriers to resumption of work among cardiac patients.

Possible project duties include:

• Interviewing patients
• Assisting in the development of protocol for focus groups with GPs;
• Recruitment of GPs into focus groups;
• Assisting with convening and facilitating focus groups;
• Analysing focus group findings; and
• Reporting on study findings.

Other projects will commence during 2008 which could involve students depending on their particular interests

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Assessment Breakdown

Research Component: 87.5 points
Research Report (up to 9,000 words): 75%
Oral presentation: 15%
Supervisor's Evaluation: 10%

Coursework Component: 12.5 points
Intermediate Epidemiology and Biostatistics will be assessed as per subject description.

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Student Numbers

Number of places available:
2