Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD)
The Kimberley is one of four Australian sites for the international BOLD study, an NHMRC funded study of lung function. Obstructive lung disease is known to be more common among Aboriginal people, however the extent of this excess on a population basis has not been documented and care for Aboriginal people with obstructive lung disease is often less than optimal. The Kimberley is the only BOLD site with a significant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander focus and this study is being carried out in conjunction with a pulmonary rehabilitation project which KAMSC and WACHS-K are also partners in and with smoking prevention programs currently underway. Results have been submitted for publication in peer reviewed journals.
Researchers:
- David Reeve
- Mary Lane
- Assoc Prof David Atkinson
- Assoc Prof Wendy Cavilla
- Assoc Prof Graeme Maguire
Kimberley BOLD PLUS Project
Since 2009, the Kimberley BOLD project has collected prevalence and risk factor data on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in several communities in the Kimberley. Despite growing epidemiological data on COPD, little is known about the knowledge and views of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal COPD patients on their disease and treatment, nor on the knowledge and attitudes of health professionals regarding COPD and how these may influence their clinical practice and implementation of local guidelines.
The aims of this project are to:
- Investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of COPD patients in the Kimberley, and any significant differences between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal patients;
- Investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of clinicians treating COPD in the Kimberley, and perceived barriers and enablers to optimal COPD care; and
- Conduct a clinical audit comparing the quality of care received by COPD patients in the Kimberley to the care recommended by the Kimberley Chronic Lung Disease Guidelines.
This data will help inform future strategies by Kimberley health organisations such as KAMSC, to improve staff education, communication between clinicians and patients, and systems of care including the use of the local guidelines, with the aim to improve COPD care in the Kimberley and in other Australian remote and/or Indigenous healthcare settings. Results have been submitted for publication in peer reviewed journals.
Researchers:
- Prof David Atkinson
- Assoc Prof Graeme Maguire
- Nathania Burrie, James Cook University