Overview
The Centre for Health Systems and Technology (CHeST) has been involved in a number of research projects, with particular focus on cross-cutting research themes. Current and past CHeST research projects are shown below.
Current projects
Weaving our worlds: Māori learner outcomes from an equity-focused strengths-based programme in Health Sciences
Māori are under-represented in tertiary study in 'difficult to enter' health professional degrees (e.g. Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, and Physiotherapy). Increasing the academic achievement and diversity of Māori successfully entering and completing these programmes is a strategic prioritu for health and education. This project aims to enhance and then evaluate outcomes from a strengths-plus-evidence-based approach to increase the academic achievement of Māori Health Sciences First Year students at the University of Otago. The project is led by Associate Professor Joanne Baxter.
Paediatric experiences, pathways, and quality improvement strategies in the Otago region: A qualitative feasibility study of patient, whānau, and health professional collaboration for improvement
Involving patients in the design and delivery of health care significantly improves services and outcomes. However, gaps in understanding exist about how best to involve children, adolescents, and their whānau in New Zealand. This study aims to understand how the child health and disability services in Otago can be improved for children, youth, and their families for Māori in particular, as well as for all people in Otago. This cross-sectional qualitative study will use group and individual interviews with parents of younger tāmariki (children aged <10 years old), rangatahi (youth aged ≥10), and health providers. This study has been funded by the Healthcare Otago Charitable Trust.
Principal Investigators
- Associate Professor Sarah Derrett (Department of Preventive and Social Medicine)
- Dr Emma Wyeth (Department of Preventive and Social Medicine)
Co-Investigators include:
- Dr David Barker (Southern District Health Board, Department of Women's and Children's Health)
- Professor Robin Gauld (Otago Business School)
- Dr Gagan Gurung (Department of Preventive and Social Medicine)
- Ms Michelle Lambert (Department of Preventive and Social Medicine)
- Professor Tim Stokes (Department of General Practice and Rural Health)
For more information contact Associate Professor Sarah Derrett
Email sarah.derrett@otago.ac.nz
Delivering better care for people with severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in the Southern Region
COPD is a disease of national importance, particularly for Māori. Professor Tim Stokes, in partnership with Southern District Health Board (SDHB), has been awarded a Health Research Council Research Partnership for New Zealand Health Delivery for investigation into delivering better care for people with severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in the Southern region. This research aims to improve the health care of people with severe COPD across the SDHB region.
This project will be undertaken by:
- Professor Tim Stokes (Department of General Practice and Rural Health)
- Ms Margaret Clearwater (SDHB)
- Mr Simon Donlevy (SDHB)
- Dr Fiona Doolan-Noble (General Practice & Rural Health, DSM)
- Dr Jack Dummer (SDHB, Department of Medicine)
- Mrs Deborah Hannah (SDHB)
- Dr Roland Meyer (SDHB)
An analysis of District Health Board (DHB)s' experiences with the Population-Based Funding Formula (PBFF) and implications for health funding in New Zealand
This study aims to explore DHB experiences with the PBFF, in particular the benefits and challenges arising from the PBFF from each DHB's perspective. The project is led by Professor Robin Gauld.
Co-investigators include:
- Dr Erin Penno (Otago Business School)
- Dr Richard Egan (Department of Preventive and Social Medicine).
Learn more about the PBFF at the Ministry of Health website
Past projects
Developing a performance scorecard for New Zealand's health system
Giving it 71% across 64 indicators.
Clinical governance and leadership evaluation
This project was funded by the National Health Board, the Health Quality and Safety Commission, and New Zealand's district health boards.
- Phase 1 involved a survey of all health professionals employed by DHBs
- Phase 2 was an in-depth case study of each DHB
- Phase 3 was a final wrap-up conference held at the end of 2012
Evaluation of e-prescribing and medicine reconciliation in the four DHB pilot sites
In partnership with Sapere Research Group and NIHI Auckland University.
Funded by the Health Quality and Safety Commission.
Research into coordination of care for people with multiple chronic conditions in the Southern DHB region
Funded by Well Dunedin PHO Trust.
Technical report on New Zealand's population-based funding formula
Funded by the Healthcare Otago Charitable Trust.