Research into healthcare outcomes for thousands of Australians are among the successful projects in the latest round of grants from The Hospital Research Foundation (THRF).

Professor Geraint Rogers’ project on “A microbiome-targeted diet for the prevention of frailty: Translating a major advance into residential aged care settings” has received a boost of $69,990, and Professor Maria Crotty’s project “Will an eCommunity of Practice (eCOP) focused on hip fractures improve evidence based practice in aged care” has received $70,000.

Research into the precision use of medicines in breast cancer also received additional funding, with $145,527 going to Dr Ashley Hopkins’ project “Precision use of medicines in breast cancer treatment: Big data to inform the impacts of concomitant non-cancer medicines on clinical outcomes”.

Associate Professor Kate Laver’s project received $70,000 to evaluate how to best help individuals diagnosed with dementia take charge of their diagnosis.

Associate Professor Laver said that given there is no cure for dementia, many people struggle with a diagnosis and she hopes further funding will allow tailored assistance for these individuals.

“People with dementia have reported that there is a need to maintain hope in the absence of a cure, and evidence-based interventions are equally as important in the first few weeks and months following diagnosis as it is in the longer-term,” she said.

“This funding will allow us to tailor an existing ‘take charge’ program for people with dementia.”