Selection of Completed Projects

Recruiting and Retaining General Practitioners in Rural Areas

Project Title: Recruiting and Retaining General Practitioners in Rural Areas: Improving Outcomes through Evidence-Based Research and Community Capacity Building

Principle Investigators: Assoc Prof John McDonald, Ms Louise Bibby & Mr Steve Carroll

Funding Orgainisation: Victorian Universities Rural Health Consortium & Rural Workforce Agency, Victoria

Project Summary: The Victorian Universities’ Rural Health Consortium (VURHC) was established in 1998 to improve rural health outcomes through research and education. This collaborative project has been jointly funded by VURHC and the Rural Workforce Agency Victoria. The project aims to address a critical issue facing many rural communities: access to general practitioners (GPs).

Recruiting_and_Retaining_GPs_Final_Report.pdf

Project Summary

Online Manual

Evaluation of Adult Day Centre Programs, Ballarat Health Services

Throughout December 2005 and January and February 2006 the Centre for Health Research and Practice at the University of Ballarat conducted an external evaluation of four Adult Day Centre Programs run as part of the Community Programs portfolio of Ballarat Health Services. The study involved a number of requirements including the need to:

• review the literature evidence around program development and delivery for adult day services;
• review organisational, management and program processes and their impact on service delivery;
• assess levels of user satisfaction while identifying factors promoting and inhibiting program outcomes; and,
• determine potential developmental targets for the programs into the future.

Data collection involved: interviews and focus groups with 74 participants comprising 4 Management staff, 23 Day Centre staff, 23 carers, 19 clients and 5 volunteers; distribution of a written survey to all agencies referring to the Day Centres and/or who worked with clients utilising Day Centre services; analysis of program documentation across all Ballarat Health Services Day Program areas; and, participant observation.

The literature review process identified a number of key themes relevant to the study. While there is a paucity of empirical work or systematic reviews relating to programmatic processes specific to day centres, a significant body of evidence is available identifying that:

• Social support of the type that is available through day centres has a significant impact on achieving improved physical health, decreasing mental health problems and delaying admission to nursing home care.
• Day programs play a significant role in maximising the capacity of caregivers to maintain care-giving support for extended periods, managing difficult situations and maintaining better physical and mental health during the care-giving process.

Additionally, valuable insights were gained in relation to potential programmatic responses for older people with dementia and the knowledge gained provided the basis for comparisons between the literature and service delivery at each of the four Ballarat Health Services Day Centres.

The data analysis, when reviewed against the literature, found that the Ballarat Health Services Adult Day Services program provides important and valuable services across the aged and disability sector. While there are a number of operational issues that need to be addressed to maximise the effectiveness of service delivery, service provision through the centres has notable benefits in the areas of physical and cognitive health and well being, delayed admission to residential care, social support, dementia care support to clients and caregivers and, ultimately, the overall quality of life of many service users

For further details about this project, please contact chrp@ballarat.edu.au

Building on Success in Rural Communities

Project Summary: The project was developed in response to feedback obtained during a forum entitled 'Building on Success in Rural Communities' facilitated by the CRRH in June 2000. This feedback indicated unequivocally, that the Centre should be proactive and inclusive, in the promotion and enhancement of broadly defined health outcomes across the Grampians region. Accordingly, the 'Building on Success in Rural Communities' Project, was designed to tell the story of successful initiatives that enhanced health outcomes in the broadest sense for communities in the Region.

Building_on_Success_Report.pdf

13-days and Counting

Project Title: An issues paper examining the Young Women's Crisis Accommodation Program at Lisa Lodge, Ballarat

Project Summary: This paper examines some of the issues raised from the introduction of the Young Women's Crisis Accommodation Program (YWCAP) at Lisa Lodge in 2001. It also describes the characteristics of a group of young women who have used the program, examine their program entry and exit points, and services utilised by them during their stay. The final part of the paper includes a discussion of program issues and some suggestions for future research.

13-days_Report.pdf

The Operation Link

Project Title:Be Safe Late (OLBSL) Program

Funding Organisation: Ballarat Police

Principal Investigators: Dr Suzanne McLaren, Assoc Prof John McDonald & Dr Mari Molloy

Project Summary: The Operation Link: Be Safe Late (OLBSL) program, through the Victoria Police – Ballarat and with funding provided by the Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation, commissioned the Centre for Health Research and Practice to conduct an independent evaluation of the program. The Victoria Police Crime Statistics for the years August to July 2002-2003 (pre-program) and 2003-2004 (commencement of program) were examined to assess the impact of the OLBSL program on the rate of assaults in licensed venues and public spaces and property damage to retail, residential and licensed premises within the Ballarat CBD. Crime Statistics for the outlying areas of the Ballarat District were also examined for any possible outward migration of alcohol-related incidents from the Ballarat CBD over the time the OLBSL program has been in operation. A comparison of the Police Crimes Statistics for assaults and property damage within the Ballarat CBD for the first twelve months following the launch of the OLBSL program with the previous twelve months was undertaken. Surveys and interviews were also undertaken with a range of individuals and groups to record their experiences and perceptions of the OLBSL.

Operation_Link.pdf

Evaluation of the “Enough is Enough” program

Project Title: Evaluation of the “Enough is Enough” program

Funding Organisation: Barwon Health

Principal Investigator: Assoc Prof John McDonald

Project Summary: The Centre for Health Research and Practice at the University of Ballarat was commissioned to undertake an external, independent evaluation of the “When Enough is Enough” program. The purpose of the evaluation was to assess the process and impact of the program. Process evaluation sought to answer whether the program was soundly conceptualised, well constructed, being implemented smoothly, and if participants were satisfied. Impact evaluation sought to examine whether the program objectives were met; that is, whether participants had developed and applied skills in effective end-of-life communication.

Enough_is_Enough.pdf

Strengthening Generations Project Evaluation

Principal Investigator: Dr Angela Murphy

Project Summary: Throughout November and December 2005 and January, February 2006, the Centre for Health Research and Practice conducted an external review of the first three years of the Strengthening Generations: Ballarat Communities that Care® project. Commissioned by the Strengthening Generations CORE (Key Leaders) Group, the evaluation was shaped by a clear Project Brief which established the purposes of the process as being:

1. In accordance with the agency funding agreement, to undertake a process and impact evaluation of the Strengthening Generations program to date; and
2. To assist the CORE Team and Community Action Teams with identifying future initiatives and funding opportunities for the next stages of the Strengthening Generations Ballarat Communities that Care program.

A third purpose was to utilise the evaluation report to promote the progress and achievements of the program.

Data collection involved: interviews and focus groups conducted with 53 Strengthening Generations Project stakeholders comprising 9 CORE group representatives, the Strengthening Generations Project Coordinator, 23 representatives from the Sebastopol/Delacombe community and Action Teams and 10 from Wendouree; the development and distribution of a written survey to all interview and focus group participants; and, analysis of program documentation to map project development and key issues relevant to project implementation

The focus of analysis was on the extent to which the project had achieved funded outcomes in the three years since project establishment, the issues arising from project implementation and the potential for sustainable community strengthening benefits that had arisen as a direct result of delivery of the Strengthening Generations Project in the communities of Wendouree and Sebastopol/Delacombe. Insights gained during the course of the evaluation were assessed as having the potential for transferability in informing extension, at a National level, of the model into the future. The evaluation identified a number of specific outcomes related to competency development and community connection, building an evidence-based for decreasing risk and increasing protective factors, networking and service integration.

The Project was found to have achieved a number of long term sustainable community strengthening benefits through a number of key initiatives including:

• The commitment of the City of Ballarat to fund the project coordination of the Strengthening Generations Project on an ongoing
  basis.
• The adoption of an annual recreational out of school hours program available to young people throughout the Ballarat area.
• The completion of the Connecting Wendouree Arts project.
• The establishment of the Delacombe Community House.
• The completion and documentation of the Community Resource and Strengths Collection.
• Undertaking the Health and Well being surveys with the Centre for Adolescent Health involving 1300 students from Wendouree and Sebastopol/Delacombe.
• The development and distribution of Community Prevention Plans identifying risk and protective factors, and localised responses, across the Wendouree and Sebastopol/Delacombe communities.
• The selection of localised and externally evaluated programs for delivery over an extended timeframe.
• Extensive networking at the inter-agency, inter-sectoral and community levels.
• The beginning of service integration and planning to incorporate evidence gathered through the Strengthening Generations Project.
• The funding of the Delacombe Community Renewal Project
  

While additional funding is needed to maximise the ability of the projectto implement all strategies set out in the CommunityPrevention Plans, the community mobilisation, evidence-based data collection and service system networkingthat has occurred as partof the project development has ensured that the project has the capacity to continue into the future.

For further details about this project, please contact chrp@ballarat.edu.au

Review of Services to meet the health, welfare and educational needs of students in the Ballarat Diocese

Principle Investigators: Assoc Prof John McDonald and Ms Alison Ollerenshaw

Project Summary: The Centre for Health Research and Practice, University of Ballarat, was commissioned by the Catholic Education Office (Diocese of Ballarat) to review the current model of Student Services to meet the health, welfare and educational needs of primary and secondary school students across the Diocese. This review was largely instigated by a recommendation in the 2005 Action Plan to review Student Services programs in light of the welfare needs of students attending Catholic Schools in Victoria.

Conducted over a four month period in 2005 (July – November), the review (a) reviewed evidence from previously published reports, literature and research, (b) analysed the extant database of referrals to Student Services maintained by the Catholic Education Office (Diocese of Ballarat) and (c) consulted with key stakeholders from the Catholic Education Office (including Student Services staff, school principals, special needs coordinators, secondary welfare coordinators, personnel from the Catholic Education Office Melbourne) and other service agencies.

Some of the key findings of this review are:

• Across the Diocese of Ballarat, there has been an escalation in the number of students requiring services, and a marked rise in those who are presenting with complex and significant needs. These needs span across the health, welfare and educational domains.
• Families, too, are under increasing pressure. Many more are looking to schools – particularly primary schools – for assistance.
• The number of referrals to Student Services continues to rise.
• School are reporting high levels of stress among staff as they struggle to cope with burgeoning demands.
• There are some exemplary practices, programs and structures in place at individual schools. Student Services havebeen instrumental in helping to set these up.

Moorabool Shire Project: Stage 1 - Local Area Planning

Project Title:  Identifying the health needs of the residents of the Moorabool Shire, and mapping the health services provided in the Moorabool Shire.

Funding Organisation: Department of Human Services & Moorabool Shire Council

Principal Investigators: Dr Bev Blaskett, Mr Craig Marshall, A/Prof John McDonald, Ms Alison Ollerenshaw 

Project Summary: The Centre for Health Research and Practice at the University of Ballarat undertook a comprehensive analysis of the demographics, health and welfare service sytem and priority health needs for the Moorabool Shire. The project was completed in the second half of 2006 and was officially launched in April 2007. The final report will be used for major strategic redevelopment of services in the municipality.  

   Moorabool Local Area Planning Report

Project Title: Community participation and recreation alternatives in the Ballarat area.

Principal Investigator: Dr Andrew Cooper and Ms Deneale Skewes

Funding Organisation: Problem Gambling Local Community Partnership Grant, funded by Department of Human Services.

Project Summary: The project was designed and initiated by the Ballarat Responsible Gambling Committee (BRGC). The BRGC was established seven years ago and during this time it has endeavored to bring together the diverse parties involved in gaming in the Ballarat area and maintain a constructive dialogue between all parties aiming to maximize responsible gaming practice in the community.

The project was funded by the Department of Human Services Local Community Partnership Projects Grant Scheme and was directed on behalf of BRGC by Dr Andrew Cooper and Deneale Skewes of the Centre of Health Research and Practice (CHRP).The project was supported by City of Ballarat and other BRGC members, including representatives from Gambler’s Help, Tabcorp, Tattersall’s and other local counseling and welfare services.

The overall goal of the project was to provide a primary information hub for people wanting to access information about healthy recreation alternatives in the Ballarat area. Centralised and easily accessible information can benefit both community members looking for activities in their area, and clubs and organisations looking to recruit new members. A particular focus of the project was on those most at risk for developing problem gambling behaviour; it was hoped they would benefit from reliable and accurate information on recreation alternatives in the Ballarat area. It is widely recognised that having a variety of recreation interests helps maintain physical and mental health, and increases sense of belonging in the community. In relation to gambling, it is expected that those individuals with a healthier balance of recreation interests will be less likely to engage in problem gambling behaviour.

The project was officially launched on June 21, 2006.The project was carried out by project officer Deneale Skewes and centered on the formation of a community based website (www.activities4me.com). The website was designed to act as a hub for information on recreation alternatives in the Ballarat area and provide some basic information on gambling help services. The website contained an extensive range of links to other websites and organizations that covered a large range of accessible recreation options within the local area.

In addition to development of the website itself, a community advertisement campaign was designed. The website was advertised within local gaming venues and a select number of other community venues. The advertising material included flyers, posters and drink coasters. These materials promoted positive health messages about the importance of community involvement and belonging. The promotion of physical and mental health benefits was designed to be a key feature of the project.

Evaluation of the project involved collection of basic website traffic information and uptake of advertising information within venues, as well as qualitative and quantitative feedback from relevant community stakeholders. The project evaluation is currently being finalised, however preliminary data and feedback indicate positive endorsement of the project by Gambler’s Help and gaming industry representatives, as well as other stakeholders. The data also suggest improvements for the provision of recreation information in the Ballarat area that could be implemented in the future.