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Surgical and Perioperative Care

Surgical and Perioperative Care

30+ RESEARCH PROGRAM MEMBERS

Our Surgical and Perioperative Care Research Program conducts collaborative, clinician-driven research finding ways to optimise the surgery process and deliver better patient outcomes.

In Australia, surgeries are surprisingly common. 

HMRI Research Programs

9

SURGERIES IN A LIFETIME FOR THE AVERAGE AUSTRALIAN

hospital

1 in 4

HOSPITALISATIONS INVOLVE SURGERY

hospital bed

381,000

AUSTRALIANS REQUIRE EMERGENCY SURGERY EVERY YEAR

*Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2023

As technology advances and our population ages, surgeries are becoming more complex, presenting a need for surgical-focused clinical research.

Historically, surgical and anesthesia research has been conducted in isolation, often complicated by geographical separation. This has limited its relevance and scalability.

Recently there has been a greater emphasis on patient-focused outcomes, including psychological and social aspects. While the medical evidence base is growing rapidly, its application to patient care remains limited.

There is a pressing need for clinician-driven research aimed at optimising the surgical process with a focus on increased efficiency, cost-effectiveness and excellent patient outcomes.

surgery

Our researchers are transforming surgery practices

Our Surgical and Perioperative Care Research Program aims to enhance patient outcomes and efficiency.

Our research aims to:

  1. Improve clinical care by determining optimal systems and team processes that drive safety and efficiency
  2. Reduce unnecessary procedures
  3. Improve economic outcomes and reducing waste

As many of our program members are clinicians and surgeons, we are driven by the need to improve patient care and experiences. We aim to foster knowledge, understanding and practice of research in our future surgeons.

Our research focus areas are driven by the needs and insights of our community and patients:

Enhancing patient-centred processes and involving patients in decisions about their care

Using prehabilitation and tools to enhance health before surgery and reduce complications

Challenging the validity of current practice and traditions

Analysing long-term patient outcomes, including quality of life

Improving systems and safety by applying best evidence in surgery and perioperative care

Putting patients at the centre of the surgical encounter

Our research exists to help our community. We continue to place more emphasis on patient needs and experiences. It’s essential that our community and patients play an active role in our research.

Person-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) are key to our research.

While mortality and morbidity will always be important to evaluate, our researchers are also prioritising quality of life, life impact, patient experience and economic factors as vital research outcomes

Innovative research approaches helping to enhance the end-to-end surgical experience

Hunter Medical Research Institute’s Surgical and Perioperative Care Research Program has diverse expertise helping to drive innovation.

Our multidisciplinary team of researchers are using varied approaches including behavioural sciences, simulation, and ‘whole of population’ studies to improve surgical care.

It is increasingly recognised that a Human Factors Engineering (HFE) approach is required to address our program’s core challenges. Our collaborative group combines HFE expertise with our clinical simulation laboratory to study the design of tools, processes and systems that result in optimal patient care for people in our region and beyond.

World-first stroke recovery program builds more than just skills​

For people living with stroke, the opportunity to exercise, socialise, dance and make art not only helps rebuild speech, motor skills and fitness — it’s also a fun way to boost connections and confidence in a supported setting. The ESTEEM program is doing just that.

70+​

STROKE SURVIVORS HAVE PARTICIPATED ​

calendar

10​

WEEK PROGRAM

location

2

LOCATIONS ACROSS REGIONAL NSW

Bringing the best diabetes care to people in the bush

The Diabetes Alliance Program Plus (DAP+) is a proven diabetes care model helping improve the prevention, detection, treatment, and self-management of diabetes in rural and regional communities.

4000+

PATIENTS HELPED

800+

HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ARE ROLLING OUT DAP+

96

PATIENTS WHO PARTICIPATED IDENTIFY AS INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS

Empowering girls to be active and empowered

Daughters & Dads Active & Empowered is a world-first, evidence-based program that brings together fathers/father-figures & their primary school-aged daughters to promote physical activity, enhance sport skills, and boost wellbeing. 

3100+

PARTICIPATING DADS AND DAUGHTERS

380

EDUCATORS TRAINED

partnership

30

GOVERNMENT AND SPORTING PARTNERSHIPS

School exercise program boosts adolescent fitness and health 

Burn 2 Learn is a world first school-based physical activity HIIT program, improving fitness, wellbeing and enhancing academic achievement of high school students. 

18,000+

PARTICIPATING STUDENTS

325

TEACHERS TRAINED

location

218

SCHOOLS

Optimising post-surgery care to prevent clots

The IMPOSTERS trial is revolutionising post-surgery care and patient comfort. Additionally, the clinical trial is also identifing cost-savings opportunities that will improve environmental  sustainability by minimising single-use devices.

550+

patients participated in the trial

hospital

3

participating hospitals

$850K

awarded to support the research project

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