Quality Use of Medicines Alliance awarded health education and health literacy grants
Two new grants to support consumer health literacy and improve the use of medicines will see peak health and consumer organisations working side-by-side.
The Quality Use of Medicines Alliance a consortium of eight health and consumer organisations, will align their work across the two grants, awarded under the Australian Government’s Quality Use of Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Pathology (QUDTP) Program.
The grants will run over a 2-year period and address priority quality use of medicines issues for atopic dermatitis, gout, antidepressants in older people and oral anticoagulants.
The Quality Use of Medicines Alliance brings together unique expertise from education providers, consumer groups, researchers, health professional colleges, peak bodies and member organisations to develop free educational activities, at scale, for a national audience of health professionals and consumers.
The Health Professional Education Grant led by Medcast Pty Ltd will leverage evidence-based approaches to create a comprehensive suite of interactive learning activities and resources.
A/Prof Stephen Barnett, Director of Medcast, emphasised the project's potential to drive positive health outcomes.
Complementing this effort, the Consumer Health Literacy Grant led by the Health Care Consumers' Association will ensure consumers’ needs and perspectives are reflected.
The Quality Use of Medicines Alliance consists of:
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Medcast: a nationwide provider of independent education for a range of health professions
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Health Care Consumers’ Association: a peak health consumer organisation working to improve the quality and safety of health care
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Arthritis Australia: the leading national arthritis charity supporting people living with all types of arthritis
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Eczema Support Australia: a national support network advocating for people living with eczema
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Pharmaceutical Society of Australia: the national peak professional pharmacy body representing Australia’s 36,000 pharmacists across all sectors and specialisations
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QUM Connect: a specialist consultancy with experience and expertise in creating and implementing quality use of medicines initiatives to improve health outcomes
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Royal Australian College of General Practitioners: Australia’s largest professional general practice organisation responsible for maintaining standards for quality clinical practice, education and training, and research in Australian general practice
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Wiser Healthcare: a research collaboration involving the University of Sydney, Bond University, Monash University and the University of Wollongong, with a special interest in research in the areas of rational test ordering and quality use of medicines.
The Quality Use of Medicines Alliance will collaborate with a wide range of health and consumer organisations over two years until August 2025.
Kate is a Director at Medcast, leading education projects and partnerships dedicated to improving healthcare through innovative education. She began her career as an Occupational Therapist and has a Masters in Public Health. Kate worked in healthcare advisory services at KPMG, where she delivered evaluation, clinical redesign, and change-management services to government and NGOs.
Join Jack Steele as he shares his journey with severe eczema, discussing challenges and strategies for managing the condition. A must-listen for those seeking support and insights.
Join Dr Kate Annear as she discusses Gout with Professor Ric Day, a highly experienced rheumatologist and clinical pharmacologist. This podcast will cover why gout is important, and will also address some of the common misconceptions surrounding this condition as well as providing some practical advice on supporting better outcomes in the management of this condition.
Gout, a chronic inflammatory condition, is often undertreated despite its impact on quality of life. Misconceptions include it being only a lifestyle disease or affecting only older men. Effective management requires lifelong urate-lowering therapy and addressing both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic factors.