Research within our clinical sciences and health practice domain is aimed at providing the highest standards of clinical practice, be they in medicine, nursing, social work, psychiatry, dentistry, behavioural science, surgery, general practice and primary care, or physiotherapy. Researchers in this domain are involved in translating cutting-edge basic research from other research domains and in other spheres worldwide to directly benefit patients who suffer physical or mental illness. Our researchers also conduct clinical trials of new pharmaceuticals according to the highest ethical and scientific standards.
Read more about the Clinical Sciences and Health Practice Domain and its sub-domains
Helping spinal cord patients breathe independently
In addition to paralysis, many spinal cord patients lose the ability to breathe independently and require a mechanical ventilator 24 hours a day. Now Australian spinal cord patients have hope.
Details to be announced...
Invasive spinal fracture procedure – back to the drawing board
Vertebroplasty, a widespread, invasive and potentially risky procedure used to stabilise the spinal cord after a vertebral fracture was found to be no better than a placebo procedure in reducing back pain. This is the finding from a randomised controlled trial performed by Professor Peter Ebeling, Chair, Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Western Hospital, Footscray, and headed by Professor Rachelle Buchbinder, Monash University. Their findings have been published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Read more. Read the paper.
Graduate Research StudentsIf you are interested in doing a graduate research degree, please lodge an Expression of Interest.
The PhD Experience
Are you thinking of doing a PhD, but want to know more about what you might be getting yourself into? We invite you to listen to eight PhD candidates at various stages of their PhD share their experiences, as they plan their project, recruit participants, and analyse and communicate their results. Listen to the podcast on The PhD experience.
Community osteoporosis prevention study
The University of Melbourne/Western Hospital is conducting a research study investigating the effects of a new 12-month community exercise and lifestyle program aimed at increasing bone density, muscle function and reducing falls risk. The study includes free supervised exercise sessions in the western suburbs, vitamin D and calcium supplements and bone density testing. Researchers require men and women aged 60 years and over to take part.
Enquiries/more information: Dr Chrissie Bailey, or Jenny Gianoudis on 8345-7164 HREC 2008.136
[Source: Jenny Gianoudis, Department of Medicine, Western Hospital]
Dean's lecture series
The world is growing older. In Australia, the current 13% of people aged 65 years or more will increase to 20% by 2030, and the percentage of over 80 year olds will quadruple by 2050. Living longer brings challenges as well as benefits. Older people are living better and longer - 'eighty is the new sixty'.
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